[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 54 (Thursday, May 4, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 4, 2000

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, yesterday I unfortunately missed two 
recorded votes on suspension bills, H. Con. Res. 295, and H. Con. Res. 
304. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on both 
resolutions.
  However, I would like to share that my absence from the House floor 
was because I was hosting a press conference with three women from 
Afghanistan, Nigeria, Iran on global discrimination against women. 
These brave women shared their stories of discrimination and suffering 
living under the restrictive regimes in Iran and the Taliban 
government, and of being genitally mutilated as a young child in 
Nigeria. Their horrifying stories were true anecdotes of why the Senate 
must ratify CEDAW, the United Nations Convention in the Elimination of 
Discrimination Against Women.
  CEDAW, which was first adopted by the United Nations twenty years 
ago, formally codifies women's equality and promotes women's inclusion 
in business, government and other economic and social sectors. While I 
am very pleased that the House International Relations Committee held a 
hearing on my bill that urges the Senate to ratify CEDAW (House 
Resolution 107) I am outraged that it is being held up by one person in 
the Senate. The Senate Foreign Relations Chair, Jesse Helms, had 
outright refused to hold a hearing on CEDAW and continues to block its 
consideration on the Senate floor. This means that the chamber's 99 
other Senators cannot express their views on this important treaty. It 
is unacceptable that the democratic process is being held captive by 
one person. I am hopeful that today's hearing in the House 
International Relations Committee is a first step in reversing 
Congress' inaction on CEDAW and will ignite a true dialogue in the 
Senate on CEDAW's ability to help empower women around the world. Until 
then, I will continue to push Chairman Helms and the Senate to ratify 
it.

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