[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 49 (Tuesday, April 28, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL ORDER OF WOMEN LEGISLATORS

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate and 
commend the National Order of Women Legislators and the Georgia Chapter 
of the National Order of Women Legislators as they celebrate today 60 
years of accomplishments since the organization was founded in 1938.
  This year also marks the 150th Anniversary of the first Women's 
Rights Convention ever held to discuss the prohibitions then in force 
on women voting, holding public office, owning property, signing 
official documents, and receiving a formal education.
  The women who have served in the National Order of Women Legislators 
and the Georgia Chapter of that organization have overcome gender 
barriers and are true champions of the women's rights movement. I 
applaud these women for fighting for and delivering to the women of 
this nation the right to vote, and a vital voice in local, state and 
national government.
  The Declaration of Sentiments issued by the 1848 convention held in 
Seneca Falls, New York, launched a movement that unleashed and enhanced 
the myriad of talents and intellectual abilities already possessed by 
women throughout the United States. The resulting Women's Rights 
Movement has had a profound and undeniable impact on all aspects of 
American life, and has opened new and well deserved opportunities for 
women.
  I would especially like to commend the spirit and hard work of 
Rebecca Latimer Felton, the first Georgia woman elected to the United 
States Senate in 1992, two years after women gained the right to vote; 
Florence Reville Gibbs, the first Georgia woman to serve in the United 
States House of Representatives (1940-1941); Viola Ross Napier, the 
first woman to serve in the Georgia House of Representatives (1923-
1926); Susie Tilman Moore, the first woman to serve in the Georgia 
State Senate (1933-1934 and 1939-1940); and Grace Towns Hamilton, the 
first African American woman elected to the Georgia House of 
Representatives (1966-1984).
  I am honored to serve in the United States Senate with nine 
remarkable female Senators--Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Susan Collins 
(R-ME), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), Mary 
Landrieu (D-LA), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL), 
Patty Murray (D-WA), and Olympia Snowe (R-ME). I also commend the 55 
female members of the U.S. House of Representatives and female members 
in the Georgia State Legislature.
  Members of National Order of Women Legislators serve as role models 
for women throughout this nation and the entire world. I ask my 
colleagues to join me today in saluting and congratulating the National 
Order of Women Legislators and the Georgia Chapter of the National 
Order of Women Legislators for setting a positive example to all 
Americans.

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