[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

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                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2000

  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Women's History Month, it's 
fitting to recall the words of a writer and historian from Georgia 
named Octavia Albert, who said: ``I believe we should not only treasure 
our history, but should transmit it to our children's children as the 
Lord commanded Israel to do in reference to their deliverance from 
Egyptian bondage.'' The stories of our history, she explained, can 
inspire our own generation and the generations that follow to fulfill 
the country's promise of freedom and opportunity for all.
  Octavia Albert's story is certainly inspirational. She was born into 
slavery in Oglethorpe, GA, in the area of the state that I have the 
privilege of representing. After becoming a teacher in the county where 
she was born and raised, she published a book based on interviews with 
former slaves that was widely read at the turn of the century. Her book 
eventually helped improve conditions for a newly emancipated people 
and, in late years, provided a wealth of information for historians.
  More than a century later, another Georgian named Susan Still Kilrain 
is inspiring young people in our state and across the nation. A 
graduate of Georgia Tech, she became a U.S. Navy pilot in 1987, who 
served as a flight instructor and later as a test pilot who eventually 
logged more than 2,000 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft.
  In 1994, Susan Kilrain was accepted into the country's space program 
as an astronaut. Her first space mission came in 1997 as part of the 
crew of the Microgravity Science Laboratory-1, making 63 orbits of 
Earth and traveling more than 1.5 million miles in space. Three months 
later, the Microgravity Science Lab went back into space, and she was 
on it. This time, she spent 16 days in space, making 251 orbits and 
traveling 6.3 million miles.
  Marguerite Neel Williams of Thomasville, GA, which is also located in 
my area of Georgia, who passed away not long ago, is certainly an 
inspiration. Just this month, she was formally recognized by the 
Georgia Women's History Committee and the Georgia Commission on Women 
as one of the greatest historic preservationists in our State and, in 
fact, in the country.
  During her years as president and director of Landmarks of 
Thomasville, she was instrumental in saving the community's historic 
district and in saving and restoring many homes, churches, and other 
beautiful buildings. She salvaged the city's old post office, which now 
houses a Welcome Center, a fine Arts Library, and the offices for the 
Antique Show and Sale in Thomasville, which she founded and which has 
become
  To one former President, and to all of her neighbors in Plains, GA, 
Maxine Reese is certainly an inspiration. She served as Jimmy Carter's 
campaign manager in Plains, where the Presidential campaign 
headquarters was officially located. Maxine Reese later played a big 
part in persuading Congress to designate Plains as a National Historic 
Site, which has promoted tourism in this area and a better quality of 
life for many families. The people of Plains recently rededicated the 
city park as the Maxine Reese Park in recognition of her service to her 
community, State and country.
  When inspiration is the topic of discussion, another person who 
qualifies is Harriett Riggins McGhee, a native of Lee County in the 
heart of Georgia's Second District. Surrounded by scores of friends and 
family members, she recently celebrated her 116th birthday at the Union 
Missionary Baptist Church, where she has been a member for more than 80 
years. Mrs. McGhee spent many of her earlier years picking cotton and 
peanuts to support her family. Throughout those years, she was always 
active in her church and ready to help others in need. Even in hard 
times, recalls her great-great-grandnephew Eddie Holsey, she has always 
been ``the sweetest woman on God's earth.''
  These are women with extraordinary courage and commitment, whose 
exemplary lives have helped the country fulfill its promise. They are 
exceptional people. But they are certainly not alone. There are 
countless examples of women from my State of Georgia, and from 
throughout the country, who have made heroic contributions in public 
service; civic leadership; business; religion; the military; the arts; 
sports; entertainment, and in every endeavor that has made our country 
what she has been and what she is.
  Mr. Speaker, Women's History Month gives us an opportunity to 
treasure our history--and, in so doing, to inspire us to strive even 
harder to fulfill our country's great promise for ourselves and future 
generations.

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