[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 128 (Thursday, August 3, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11338-S11339]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT

   Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President. It is my pleasure to submit for 
the Record, Executive Order 95-32, issued by the 

[[Page S 11339]]

Governor of New Mexico, Gary E. Johnson, in recognition of the 75th 
Anniversary of women's suffrage.

       Whereas, since the founding of our nation women have played 
     a vital role in the formation of the United States of 
     America; and
       Whereas, women have fought battles, built homes, set up 
     governments and donated many hours to help make this nation 
     the great nation that it is today; and
       Whereas, despite all of their support and hard work, women 
     were denied the right to vote; and
       Whereas, it is proper and fitting to recognize the 75th 
     anniversary of the struggle for women's suffrage;
       Therefore, I, Gary E. Johnson, Governor of New Mexico, do 
     hereby order that on August 26, 1995, at twelve noon Mountain 
     Standard Time, bells shall be rung in recognition and 
     celebration of the adoption of the 19th amendment to the 
     United States Constitution.

  Through the efforts of a committed group of New Mexican citizens, 
organized by Elizabeth Iolene McKinney-Brown, an organization was 
established to pay special tribute to the 75th anniversary of the 19th 
amendment, Celebrate Partners United. As the group said about August 
26, ``This is a special day and we need to recognize it as such so that 
all can participate in the celebration.'' As a result of this group's 
efforts, New Mexico issued its executive order to set aside 12 noon on 
August 26, 1995 for the ringing of bells in celebration of the adoption 
of this important amendment. I understand that New Mexico is the first 
State to set aside a certain time of day as a special tribute to the 
amendment.
  The members of Celebrate Partners United and the Governor of New 
Mexico are to be commended for their dedicated efforts to recognize 
this special day. As Lieutenant Governor Bradley stated in the letter 
of transmittal of the executive order:

       The people of this nation are indebted to those who fought 
     bravely in the face of adversity for the right of women to 
     vote. This all important right is at the heart of our 
     democracy. As we continuously strive for equality in this 
     great nation, we must never forget the struggles of the past. 
     We can only learn from the historic efforts of women fighting 
     for suffrage and will continue to tell their story and 
     celebrate their victory.

  Elizabeth Iolene McKinney-Brown brought the Celebrate Partners United 
activities to my attention. It is her and the group's hope that all the 
States' Governors will consider the New Mexico example and issue 
similar proclamations. She pointed out that the ringing of bells ``is 
reminiscent of the simple act, first done by our forefathers when they 
rang the Liberty Bell.'' She suggests that if there are no bells in the 
little towns and communities, that horns or sirens are just as good 
because ``anyone, anywhere, can make a sound in remembrance of the 75th 
anniversary of the 19th amendment.''
  I am pleased that New Mexico has taken the initiative to honor August 
26 in this unique way. I am also equally proud that many men and women 
of New Mexico, at the grassroots level, have led this statewide effort 
to make a sound for this very important amendment to our U.S. 
Constitution. I urge my colleagues to share a similar challenge within 
their own States--it is a unique way for all Americans to acknowledge 
their appreciation for the special significance of this date in 
history.


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