[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 8, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

                                 ______


                     HON. CARLOS A. ROMERO-BARCELO

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 1995
  Mr. ROMERO-BARCELO. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to salute 
women as we commemorate the International Women's Day. On this most 
special day, I would like to salute American women, including my fellow 
Puerto Rican women. Women of courage who are seeking better 
opportunities, women who refuse to be second-class citizens, women who 
are eager to build a new society but have been denied their 
opportunity.
  Unfortunately, in some instances, our legal system has entrenched the 
subordinate status of women. These attitudes have contributed to the 
perpetuation of stereotypes which must be eliminated for they only 
contribute to all types of violence against women. On this day, I 
invite you to join women in their request to live in peace and to be 
recognized as equal citizens with equal rights to equal opportunities. 
Their claim is nothing more than what they deserve. This is simply an 
issue of human rights.
  I commend the Organization of American States for its approval of a 
convention holding nations responsible for violence against women. I 
believe this groundbreaking convention should be followed by other 
international organizations.
  This is the first convention in the world to focus exclusively on a 
woman's human right to be free from violence. Moreover, it is the first 
convention to provide a mechanism for individual women to file 
complaints with an international body, charging their governments with 
failing to protect them from violence. Although the Organization of 
American States has no direct enforcement power, its decisions would be 
intended to trigger legal and policy reforms so necessary in member 
states.
  Today, I urge Congress to sustain our commitment to women. Today, I 
remind the nations of the world to continue to build a gender-
respectful society.
  On the threshold of the 21st century, it is imperative to recognize 
women's rights. Let us not forget that all men and women are created 
equal and they are both moral and accountable human beings.


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