[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E388-E389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING CONGRESSWOMAN PATRICIA SCHROEDER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 22, 2000

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, to mark National Woman's History 
Month, I rise to honor an outstanding leader from Colorado--a woman who 
broke down stereotypes and fought hard for what she believed was right, 
Representative Patricia Schroeder.
  Pat represented Colorado's 1st Congressional District from 1973 to 
1996. As a 12-term Member of Congress, she was affectionately known as 
the feminist ``Dean'' on Capitol Hill at a time when feminism was 
thought of as a radical idea. She helped change the way people thought 
about women. Her hard work in Congress ensured that women would be 
allowed to take care of their newborn children, that men and women 
would be able to take family and medical leave to care for a loved one, 
and that violence against women would not be tolerated in America.
  Representative Schroeder was first elected to Congress in 1972 on an 
anti-Vietnam war platform. One of her first committee assignments was 
the Armed Services Committee, where she helped reshape the debate about 
arms control, responsible defense spending and improved working 
conditions for military personnel. On that committee, Pat worked to 
make sure that spouses of military personnel received health and 
survivor benefits. She also authored legislation that authorized State 
courts to divide military pensions in accordance with State divorce 
laws.
  During her tenure on the Armed Services Committee, Pat was the chair 
of the Subcommittee on Military Installations, and later she chaired 
the Subcommittee on Research and Technology. She also served on the 
Committee on Post Office and Civil Service and the Select Committee on 
Children, Youth and

[[Page E389]]

Families, which she eventually chaired. In addition, Pat was a member 
of the Committee on the Judiciary.
  When she retired in 1996, Representative Schroeder was the dean of 
Colorado's congressional delegation. Coloradans are independent in 
thought and deed, and Pat is a perfect example of that characteristic. 
She fought old attitudes and prejudices and overcame great odds to make 
a difference in how women are perceived and treated. When Pat was asked 
why she was running as a woman, she would respond, ``What choice do I 
have?'' One of her slogans was, ``When She Wins, We Win''--and so we 
did during the 24 years she served in the House. I am pleased to honor 
former Representative Patricia Schroeder during National Women's 
History Month.

                          ____________________