[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 160 (Thursday, November 13, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2350]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                    HONORING THE MILLION WOMAN MARCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 13, 1997

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the women 
that participated in the Million Woman March held in Philadelphia on 
October 15, 1997. I am particularly proud to acknowledge those 
participants from my hometown of Flint, MI.
  The first ever Million Woman March brought together women from all 
walks of life who, with a sense of duty and commitment, gathered on 
this day to address the issues and concerns that affect their homes, 
their families, and their communities.
  From all walks of life they came. They arrived by plane or by train. 
Some drove their cars overnight, while others chartered buses to get 
them to their destination. Regardless of how they arrived, the women 
who attended the Million Woman March all came with similar goals: to 
interact with one another, to empower themselves and each other, to 
devise strategies to take back their neighborhoods, and to instill in 
our young people the power of collective efforts and positive 
attitudes.
  Nearly 500 of the participants in the Million Woman March made the 
journey from Flint, MI. In my role as a Member of this body, I consider 
it my duty to work toward enhancing the quality and dignity of life for 
all my constituents. I am very fortunate to have these women as allies 
in this effort. I also would like to commend these women on the 
organization of the local Thousand Woman March in Flint, which allowed 
the women to share what they learned in Philadelphia with those who 
were unable to attend.
  On November 15, an appreciation reception will be held for the 
participants of both the Million Woman March and the Thousand Woman 
March. It will serve as a time to reflect on their experience as an 
important part of history and to allow them to work toward their 
collective goals of equity, unity, and love.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in expressing my gratitude to the women who participated in the 
Million Woman March and the Thousand Woman March. I am proud to 
represent them in Congress for they are shining examples of what 
coalitions can accomplish.

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