[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 36 (Monday, March 8, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2430-S2431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

 Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize March 
8th as the annual celebration of International Women's Day in the State 
of New Jersey.
  International Women's Day began in 1911, when over one million people 
from around the world gathered to honor women in the workplace and 
enhance women's rights universally. The many citizens from Austria, 
Denmark, Germany, Sweden and the United States attended rallies in 
their home countries and called for women to have the right to vote, 
the right to hold public office, for vocational training and to end 
discrimination against women in the workplace.

[[Page S2431]]

  Mr. President, women's rights have come a long way since then. But we 
still have farther to go.
  Mr. President, the purpose now of International Women's Day is to 
promote many causes important to women and girls, such as education, 
leadership development and ongoing human rights struggles. Supporters 
of this day would like to see economic justice for women, freedom from 
glass ceilings, violent workplace environments and sexual harassment, 
and the elimination of child labor in sweatshops.
  In addition, Mr. President, a concurrent celebration of International 
Women's Day has blossomed in New Jersey. New Jersey, in fact, is the 
only state where International Women's Day is celebrated state-wide in 
classrooms and community centers everywhere.
  In 1992, New Jersey's celebration was founded in Metuchen with the 
help of organizations like Women Helping Women, Citizens for Quality 
Education and the Metuchen Public Schools. Since then, the New Jersey 
state legislature, the White House and the United Nations have all 
recognized this celebration as important in the evolution of women's 
rights. The Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) of the U.S.A., 
one of the oldest and largest women's organizations in the world, has 
also become a vital sponsor of International Women's Day.
  Mr. President, this year's celebration is entitled, ``Women Working 
for Health: Body, Mind, Spirit,'' focusing on women in the workplace. 
In classrooms across New Jersey, women from all walks of life, 
including veterinarians, pilots, judges, community leaders, and medical 
researchers, have been invited to discuss their personal and 
professional experiences with students at levels ranging from 
kindergarten to adult education programs. These priceless exchanges 
will provide young girls and women with mentors, role models and 
friends.
  Mr. President, I am happy to join in the celebration of International 
Women's Day in New Jersey, and all that it does to foster the promotion 
of equal rights for women. I hope my colleagues will do the 
same.

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