[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 27 (Tuesday, March 12, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1777-S1778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNITION OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

  Mr. SARBANES. Madam President, I rise today in recognition of Women's 
History Month. This time has been appropriately designated to reflect 
upon the important contributions and heroic sacrifices that women have 
made to our Nation and to consider the challenges they continue to 
face. Throughout our history, women have been at the forefront of every 
important movement for a better and more just society, and they have 
been the foundation of our families and communities.
  In Maryland, we are proud to honor those women who have given so much 
to improve our lives. Their achievements illustrate their courage and 
tenacity in conquering overwhelming obstacles. They include Margaret 
Brent, who became America's first woman lawyer and landholder, and 
Harriet Tubman, who risked her own life to lead hundreds of slaves to 
freedom through the Underground Railroad. Dr. Helen Taussig, another 
great Marylander, developed the first successful medical procedure to 
save ``blue babies'' by repairing heart birth defects. Her efforts laid 
the groundwork for modern heart surgery. We are all indebted to Mary 
Elizabeth Garrett and Martha Carey Thomas who donated money to create 
Johns Hopkins Medical School on the condition that women be admitted. 
And jazz music would not be complete without the unforgettable voice of 
jazz singer Billie Holiday who also hailed from Baltimore City. Their 
accomplishments and talent provide inspiration not only to Marylanders, 
but to people all over the globe.
  My good friend and colleague from Maryland, Senator Barbara Mikulski, 
is a tremendous example of the commitment and dedication women give to 
public service. From her background as a social worker to her election 
to the U.S. Senate, Senator Mikulski, who has served longer than any 
other woman currently in the Senate has always worked to ensure all 
people are treated fairly. She appropriately played a key role in 
establishing this month when in 1981, she cosponsored a resolution 
establishing National Women's History Week, a predecessor to Women's 
History Month. Today, I wish to honor her dedication and service to the 
people of Maryland and this Nation.
  While we recognize famous women, it is important that we acknowledge 
the contributions of others who daily touch our lives: Our favorite 
teacher who gives us the confidence and knowledge to know that we were 
capable of success; the single mother or grandmother who toiled at a 
low-paying job for years to guarantee that the next generation in her 
family received better education and career opportunities; and the 
professional women who volunteer the little spare time they have to 
read to children or speak to student groups, inspiring young people to 
aim for goals beyond what they may have otherwise imagined.
  Women's History Month is a fitting time to honor the women of the 
Armed Services who risk their lives in our fight against terrorism. 
From the American Revolution and the Civil War through modern day armed 
conflict, American women have sacrificed next to their husbands, sons, 
brothers and fathers to preserve the freedom upon which this Nation was 
founded. Currently, more than 6,000 women in the Armed Services are 
courageously fighting in our war against terrorism and almost 15 
percent of the 1.4 million soldiers volunteering in our military are 
women. These modern day heroines, giving of their time, knowledge, and 
lives should not be taken for granted.
  Women have made great strides in overcoming historic adversity and 
bias but they still face many obstacles. Unequal pay, poverty, 
inadequate access to healthcare and violent crime are among the 
challenges that continue to disproportionately affect women. Working 
women earn 74 cents to every dollar earned by men. What is more 
troubling is that the more education a woman has, the wider the wage 
gap. According to a recent Census Bureau report, the average American 
woman loses approximately $523,000 in wages and benefits over a 
lifetime because of wage inequality. Families with a female head of 
household have the highest poverty rate and comprise the majority of 
poor families.
  Women continue to be under-represented in high-paying professions and 
lag significantly behind men in enrollment in science programs. A 
recent General Accounting Office study found that, after controlling 
for education, age and race, women managers still earned less than 
full-time male managers. Increasing the number of senior level women in 
all fields begins with encouraging girls' interest and awareness in 
school illustrating that their options are limitless.
  As our population ages, we must also address the special challenges 
of older women. Women live an average of 6 years longer than men. 
Consequently, their reduced pay is even more detrimental given their 
increased life expectancy as they are forced to live on less money for 
a longer period of time. In addition, more women over age 65 tend to 
live alone at a time when illness and accidents due to decreased 
mobility are more likely. For these women, it is imperative that we 
guarantee that Social Security and Medicare remain solvent for future 
generations.
  I believe we should use this month as an opportunity to reflect not 
only on the achievements and challenges of American women, but to 
recognize those of women internationally. We know that a variety of 
ills hinder the potential of women in many parts of the world, labor 
practices that oppress women and girls, the rapid spread of HIV and 
AIDS, and limited or non-existence suffrage rights. We must broaden 
access to education, the political process, and reproductive health 
globally so that girls and women everywhere can maximize their options. 
To have a credible voice in the international arena, the United States 
must lead by example, showing that American women enjoy these rights 
fully.
  During my service in Congress, I have strongly supported efforts to 
address women's issues and eradicate gender discrimination and 
inequality. I have co-sponsored the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would 
provide more effective remedies to victims of wage discrimination on 
the basis of sex. I have also supported the Equity in Prescription 
Insurance and Contraceptive Coverage Act, which would prohibit health 
insurance plans from excluding or restricting benefits for prescription 
contraception if the plan covers other prescription drugs. In order to 
build a national repository of the contributions of women to our 
Nation's history, I co-sponsored legislation to establish a National 
Museum of Women's History Advisory Committee. In addition, I remain a 
consistent supporter of an equal rights amendment to the Constitution. 
I am proud of these efforts and I will continue my commitment to bring 
fuller equality to all women.
  While obstacles remain, women have achieved impressive progress. This

[[Page S1778]]

good news includes a decline in the poverty rate for single women and 
an increase in those holding advanced degrees. Recent figures show 
women received approximately 45 percent of law and 42 percent of 
medical degrees awarded in this country. This is a dramatic improvement 
from a few decades ago and should continue as more and more women enter 
professional programs.
  In my home State of Maryland, as in the Nation, women are a guiding 
force and a major presence in our national business sector. From 1987 
to 1999, the number of women-owned firms in the United States grew by 
103 percent. Women were responsible for 80 percent of the total 
enrollment growth at Maryland colleges and universities throughout the 
last two decades.
  Indeed women continue to make great progress. As we highlight their 
accomplishments in history this month, I believe it is also important 
to educate present and future generations about gender discrimination 
so that we do not repeat past mistakes. America must remain vigilant in 
eradicating these injustices. I am confident that the women of America 
will lead this journey and continue to exemplify and advocate for those 
values and ideals which are at the heart of a decent, caring and fair 
society.

                          ____________________