[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 125 (Friday, August 26, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 26, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                THE 74TH ANNIVERSARY OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE

  (Mrs. SCHROEDER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, on August 26, 1920, the 19th amendment 
granting women the right to vote in elections became part of the U.S. 
Constitution. The amendment was first introduced into Congress in 1878.
  Our foremothers had to wage a 45-year crusade to get the right to 
vote. It is only fitting that women today are using that vote to make 
sure that politicians act on issues they care about.
  The power of women's vote resonated yesterday as the Senate passed 
the omnibus crime bill, which includes the Violence Against Women Act, 
a historic package of provisions that will finally put some equality 
into our criminal justice system for women who are victims of domestic 
violence and sex-based crimes.
  Finally, we can go about training police officers, prosecutors and 
judges about sex-based crimes. Finally, we will be encouraging States 
to adopt laws for the mandatory arrest of abusive husbands and 
partners. Finally, the criminal justice system will be changed to be 
more responsive to women.
  While it took 45 long years for women to get the right to vote, it 
took us only 6 years to pass the Violence Against Women Act. Mr. 
Speaker, I think that is a tribute to how women have learned to 
effectively use their vote and their voices in the political process.
  So today, on the 74th anniversary of Women's Suffrage, I salute the 
women of America.

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