[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 29 (Tuesday, February 14, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S2640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ON ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY

  Mrs. HUTCHISON. Mr. President, I would just like to follow my 
distinguished colleague from Illinois in talking just for a minute 
about the League of Women Voters. I think all of us agree that the 
League of Women Voters has made a great contribution to this country. 
Today, Valentine's Day, marks the 75 anniversary of the league's 
founding.
  The league's first and most widely recognized success was its role in 
the 19th amendment's ratification. In the wake of this historic 
victory, however, the League realized that an even more formidable 
challenge remained ahead--the task of actually bringing the millions of 
newly enfranchised American women into the realm of politics.
  Over the course of 75 years, the league launched ambitious programs 
to increase voter participation and to enhance public understanding of 
major policy issues. At the same time, the league continued its 
campaign to improve the legal status of women. In my home State of 
Texas, the league worked to secure secret balloting and won the battle 
to allow women to serve on juries in Texas.
  As time has progressed, the success of league endeavors has become 
increasingly apparent; in government and politics today, the presence 
and influence of women are stronger than ever. And though the league 
was founded out of the struggles for women's suffrage, its vision and 
legislative agenda have broadened over the years to encompass much more 
than voting rights and women's issues. State and local leagues have 
pursued public policy matters ranging form the environment to 
international cooperation.
  Most importantly, Mr. President, the league has never wavered from 
its commitment to nonpartisanship nor its grassroots origins. In its 
town hall meetings and candidate forums in thousands of local 
communities across the country, the league has endeavored to ensure 
that voters are presented with balanced information that reflects the 
diverse viewpoints of its membership.
  It is with much admiration and gratitude, Mr. President, that I 
recognize this uniquely American organization and the pioneering women 
who founded it and strengthened it through the years. We have all 
benefitted tremendously from their first 75 years of service to our 
country. I look forward to another 75 years of great league 
achievements.
  I think it is very important that all of us realize the great 
contributions that the League of Women Voters has made to our country 
and to the awareness of our opportunity and responsibility to vote. I 
think the League of Women Voters should be commended today on the 75th 
anniversary of their founding, and I am very proud to be part of the 
group that is recognizing that important date.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.

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