[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                     NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today, as we celebrate National Women's 
History Month, I rise to pay tribute to the extraordinary women, past 
and present, who have broken down barriers and continue to shape our 
nation's future.
  First, I would like to thank my distinguished colleague, Senator 
Barbara Mikulski, who herself has succeeded in redefining the role of 
women in politics by becoming the most senior woman in the Senate 
today. Twenty years ago, when Senator Mikulski was in the House, she 
and another one of my notable colleagues, Senator Orrin Hatch, co-
sponsored the first Joint Congressional Resolution declaring National 
Women's History Week, now a month long celebration acknowledging the 
accomplishments of women. I applaud my colleagues for their leadership 
in bringing forth this important celebration of women.
  This year's national theme is ``An Extraordinary Century for Women--
Now, Imagine the Future!'' Given the extraordinary accomplishments of 
women this last century and the bright future of women in this new 
millennium, a more appropriate theme for this month's celebration of 
women could not have been chosen.
  This month, we pay tribute to the founders of the first Women's 
Rights Convention 150 years ago. Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucretia Mott, 
and Susan B. Anthony were visionaries who championed women's rights. We 
also celebrate the historic achievements of Amelia Earhart, Ida B. 
Wells, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jacqueline Kennedy, Sally Ride, and other 
legendaries who redefined the role of women and are role models, not 
only for today's young women, but for all.
  My home state of Illinois is filled with such legendary women. Jane 
Addams was a socially conscious community leader who founded Hull 
House, a neighborhood center for immigrants in Chicago and was awarded 
the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931. Minnie Saltzman-Stevens was an 
internationally known Wagnerian soprano who received her first voice 
training from the O.R. Skinner Music School in Illinois. Content 
Johnson was an artist who gained considerable reputation as a portrait 
and still life painter in oils. Elizabeth Irons Folsom was an author 
and winner of the 1923 O'Henry Prize for short stories. Margaret 
Illington, born Maud Light, was a renowned actress who so loved 
Bloomington, Illinois, that she changed her name to Illington, forever 
bearing the proof of her love. These women paved the way for today's 
talented female Illinoisans.
  Today's prominent Illinoisans include my friend and former colleague 
Carol Moseley-Braun, the first African American elected to the Senate 
and now the US Ambassador to New Zealand; Karen Nussbaum, Director of 
the Women's Bureau in the US Department of Labor; Marlee Matlin, the 
only hearing impaired person ever to win an Academy Award for Best 
Actress; Hillary Rodham Clinton, American first lady, attorney, and 
leader on education and children's issues; and Caribel Washington, an 
86 year old civil rights activist who continues to use her strength and 
fortitude to inspire all people.
  The struggles and triumphs of these women will guide those who 
follow. One such follower is Winifred Alves, who I had the pleasure of 
meeting the other day. Winifred is this year's recipient of the Girl 
Scout Gold Award.
  Winifred's future is as bright as her Gold Award.
  Despite opposition, many of us in this Congress are fighting to 
ensure fair pay for women and close the wage gap. We are working to 
open the doors of college to all Americans by providing quality 
education at the elementary and secondary level and college tuition 
assistance to make higher education more affordable. We are working to 
improve our nation's health by bringing the issues of affordable 
prescription drugs and a Patient's Bill of Rights to the forefront.
  Although Winifred's future is bright, the lives of many of our 
children remain in jeopardy until we pass tougher gun laws. Last week, 
six year old Kayla Rolland was tragically shot to death by her fellow 
kindergarten classmate with a stolen gun. Kayla never had an 
opportunity to become a Girl Scout. She died senselessly because 
another six year old child was able to gain access to an illegal 
firearm. How many more of our children must die before we, as a 
Congress, band together on a bipartisan basis to pass comprehensive gun 
legislation?
  In this month of March, let us not only pay tribute to those women 
who have pioneered and inspired all of us, let us remember the young 
lives we have failed to protect by failing to pass commonsense gun 
control legislation. Let us also remember, their mothers, teachers, 
neighbors and friends, who helped shape these young lives but will 
never know the full potential of their joyous labor. And let us also 
remember our own mothers, sisters, and aunts who, although unknown to 
most, continue to shape our lives and our nation's future.

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