[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 35 (Thursday, March 24, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    WOMEN TO RACE FOR AMERICA'S CUP

 Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I would like to bring to the 
attention of the Senate and to the entire Nation the historic 
achievement of the 16-member all-female team that will race next year 
for the America's Cup in San Diego.
  It is a truly remarkable achievement. It is an accomplishment which 
transcends the sport of sailing, one that breaks down barriers for 
women everywhere. As chronicled in a March 10 article in the Washington 
Post, until now, no female team has ever competed for the America's 
Cup. In fact, no woman has ever served as a crew member in an actual 
America's Cup race.
  And let no one underestimate their chances. Six of them are Olympic 
medalists in sailing and rowing and four are former national 
yachtswomen of the year. They will race with state of the art boats, 
one of which has already won an America's Cup. I believe their chances 
are very good indeed, Mr. President, and that one day we may be 
congratulating these women for a much larger achievement.
  I have often said that when I ran for the U.S. Senate in 1992, it was 
the first time in my life when I felt that being a woman was not a 
disadvantage. It is through the singular achievements of women like 
these that the road is paved for all women to make equally important 
strides in other fields. These 16 women have played a crucial role in 
enabling women to compete on an equal setting with men, and in 
shattering the glass ceiling once and for all.
  This Senator will watch their progress with great interest. They have 
a big fan back in Washington who is rooting for them the whole 
way.

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