[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 158 (Wednesday, November 10, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S14438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          WOMEN IN THE SENATE

  Mr. LOTT. Madam President, perhaps my colleagues have already noticed 
that the Senate seems to be extraordinarily well organized and 
effective today and there is a reason for that. With apologies from the 
Chaplain and the majority leader, I think we should note that a 
significant milestone in the 210-year course of the Senate's history is 
taking place. Never before has a team composed entirely of women 
Members and staff opened the day's proceedings. Today's remarkable 
occasion reminds Members how much the Senate's collective face has 
changed and improved in recent years.
  The Senate has benefited from the service of 27 female Senators since 
the Honorable Rebecca Felton of Georgia first held that position on 
November 21, 1922, and particularly since 1932, when Hattie Caraway of 
Arkansas became the first woman elected to the Senate. While Senator 
Felton served only 2 days, Ms. Caraway's service continued until 1945, 
and she became the first woman to chair a Senate Committee.
  Another pioneering woman Senator was Margaret Chase Smith of Maine, 
and the Presiding Officer today, Senator Collins, also hails from that 
State of Maine. Mrs. Smith joined the Senate in 1949 and served until 
1973. During her distinguished career, she openly criticized the 
tactics of fellow Senator Joseph McCarthy in a 1950 speech entitled ``A 
Declaration of Conscience,'' and became a Presidential candidate in 
1964--partially, I believe, because of that famous speech.
  Following in these formidable steps was Nancy Landon Kassebaum, now 
the wife of former Senator and majority leader, Howard Baker of 
Tennessee. Her nearly 20-year career in the Senate became a model for 
many women to come. My first few months as majority leader involved a 
lot of issues but one of them is the now famous Kassebaum-Kennedy bill 
with regard to portable health issues. She was determined that before 
she left the Senate she was going to leave an indelible mark, and she 
did for many reasons but for that piece of legislation in particular.
  In January 1993 as the Senators of the 103rd Congress took the oath 
of office, an unprecedented six women assumed their place on the floor. 
Since that time, the number of women Senators has grown to nine.
  In recent years, the role of women officers has continued to grow, as 
well. In 1985, Jo-Anne Coe became the first woman to serve as Secretary 
of the Senate. In 1991, Martha Pope became the first female Sergeant at 
Arms. In 1995, Elizabeth Letchworth became the first Secretary of the 
majority for the Republicans and presently still holds that position. 
Currently, women serve as: Assistant Secretary (Sharon Zelaska), Deputy 
Sergeant at Arms (Loretta Symms), Assistant Parliamentarian (Elizabeth 
MacDonough), Assistant Journal Clerk (Myra Baran), Assistant 
Legislative Clerk (Kathie Alvarez), Bill Clerk (Mary Anne Clarkson), 
Assistant Secretary for the Minority (Lula Davis), and Republican Floor 
Assistant (Laura Martin). They all do a fantastic job, and we 
appreciate their service so much. They have been involved in a lot of 
activities in the last year, some of it they would just as soon have 
been able to miss, but they have done a great job every time they have 
been called upon.
  Over the years, the Senate has changed as an ever-increasing number 
of women ran for and were elected to public office. Since the end of 
World War II, there has been a steady increase in the number of women 
serving this institution as legislative clerks and other appointed 
officials. This is a historic day and a long time in coming--too long. 
I am proud it happened under my watch.
  To the women in the Chamber today and all of those who serve 
elsewhere in the Senate, let me take a moment to say thank you and 
extend my personal best wishes to all of our leaders, women officers of 
the Senate, and remind people just how much we appreciate their hard 
work and dedication.

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