[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 69 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1028-E1029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADERS SPEAK OUT--IT'S TIME FOR A NATIONAL HOLIDAY TO 
                       HONOR WOMEN'S ACHIEVEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 1997

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, I rise to give voice to the 
views of Sheila LeCompte's fifth and sixth grade students at Clear View 
Charter School in Chula Vista, CA, who have argued forcefully for a 
national holiday to honor 1 of 10 women whom they believe are worthy of 
this recognition.
  One of the students, Diana Camacho, has it right when she says: ``Not 
one woman has been celebrated with a holiday, even when they have 
accomplished just as much as the men. Considering that now we are all 
treated equal, I believe famous women who changed the world need 
credit.''
  Diana suggests that Marie Curie should be honored with a holiday: 
``She changed the world dramatically through her medical discoveries. 
She was the first person to win two Nobel prizes.''
  The 11- to 12-year-old children's nominations for a national holiday 
run from the well-known to more obscure, but nevertheless very 
deserving, women. Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was picked by 
Taylor Barnes and Paul Hernandez. Ernest Joseph Z. Castillo nominated 
Susan B. Anthony who fought for woman's right to vote.
  Brian P. Trick suggests that the ``mother of modern computers,'' 
Grace Hopper, be nominated. He feels strongly about a honor: ``Women 
are important in making our society a better place for many generations 
to come. . . She was the one that said that computers could understand 
English and worked to prove it. Because of her work, we are able to 
have personal computers and other tools without special training.''
  Jean-Marc Apalategui and Alen Cabandong nominate 19th Century 
suffragist, anti-slavery activist, and former slave Sojourner Truth for 
a national holiday.
  Christopher Del Rio would like Harriet Tubman's birthday to be 
declared a national holiday. He called her the ``mother of the civil 
rights movement.''
  Singer Ella Fitzgerald gets Reuben Felizardo's vote, and Juliette 
Lowe, the founder of the Girl Scouts of America, is Andy Castiglione's 
nomination. Aviator Amelia Earhart was the pick of Kevin Han and 
Jennifer Olsen.
  These women are all worthy role models and national heroes.
  I agree with these students. A national holiday for one of this 
Nation's outstanding women will motivate girls and young women. They 
can stand on the shoulders of these great women. Mr. Speaker and 
colleagues, listen again to Diana Camacho's convincing reasons to honor 
Madam Curie--her choice for a national holiday: ``When I read about 
her, I got inspired to do better in everything I do. So with a holiday, 
just think of the influence it could have on young girls who learned 
about her! If we did this, it would change the way people look at 
women, because it would send the message that women can do great things 
just like men can--and be noticed. It would change the world just like 
Marie Curie did.''

[[Page E1029]]

  It's time for a national holiday to honor one of our women of 
achievement.

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