[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 19, 2002)]
[House]
[Pages H974-H976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




EXPRESSING SENSE OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REGARDING WOMEN'S HISTORY 
                                 MONTH

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 371) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives regarding Women's History Month.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 371

       Whereas Women's History Month provides our country the 
     privilege of honoring the

[[Page H975]]

     countless contributions that American women have made 
     throughout our history;
       Whereas these contributions have enriched our culture, 
     strengthened our Nation, and furthered the Founders' vision 
     for a free and just Republic that provides opportunity and 
     safety at home and is an influence for peace around the 
     world;
       Whereas since its beginnings, our land has been blessed by 
     noteworthy women who played defining roles in shaping our 
     Nation. Sakajawea was a Native American woman who befriended 
     the explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, 150 years 
     ago as they crossed the great Northwest. She helped Lewis and 
     Clark's expedition complete the first successful overland 
     transcontinental journey. Lucretia Mott courageously wrote 
     and spoke against slavery and the lack of equal rights for 
     women, helping America recognize the inherent wrong in the 
     institutional subjugation of others and the need to strive 
     for equality, freedom, and justice for all. Elizabeth 
     Blackwell was the first woman in America awarded a medical 
     degree, and she dedicated her pioneering efforts as a 
     physician to helping others;
       Whereas Helen Keller overcame debilitating physical 
     disabilities, showing us the power of a determined human 
     spirit. Clara Barton developed a vision for helping others 
     through her service to the wounded during the Civil War. She 
     realized that vision by founding the American Red Cross after 
     the war, an organization that has since become renowned for 
     its effectiveness in helping those who suffer or are in need;
       Whereas recently, the Red Cross reached out to aid Afghan 
     women traumatized by the repressive rule of the intolerant 
     Taliban regime, which for years had mercilessly oppressed 
     Afghanistan and Afghan women in particular;
       Whereas today, thousands of United States women are 
     furthering the cause of freedom through service in 
     government, the military, and other organizations, as we seek 
     to defeat terrorism and bring justice to those responsible 
     for the September 11 attacks;
       Whereas the history of American women is an expansive story 
     of outstanding individuals who sacrificed much and worked 
     hard in pursuit of a better world, where peace, dignity, and 
     opportunity can reign;
       Whereas the spirit of loving determination that shaped 
     these pursuits continues to serve as an example to those who 
     seek to better our Nation;
       Whereas American women of strength, vision, and character 
     have long influenced our country by contributing their time, 
     efforts, and wisdom in vastly diverse ways to improve and 
     enhance our government and communities, our schools and 
     religious institutions, our businesses and the military, and 
     the arts and sciences; and
       Whereas women also have fundamentally shaped our 
     civilization in the care and nurturing of families.
       Whereas today, women in the United States are furthering 
     the Founders' vision by working to advance freedom, increase 
     equality, and administer justice in every corner of our land, 
     through their everyday work in schoolrooms, boardrooms, 
     courtrooms, homes, and communities: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the many contributions American women have 
     made to help make our Nation free, strong, and a force for 
     peace and justice around the world,
       (2) encourages every American to learn more about these 
     important contributions and to celebrate their noble legacies 
     as we work to build a brighter future for our Nation and for 
     all of the world's people, and
       (3) calls upon all the people of the United States to 
     observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and 
     activities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). Pursuant to the rule, the 
gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) and the gentlewoman from 
Hawaii (Mrs. Mink) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella).


                             General Leave

  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their 
remarks on House Resolution 371.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, House Resolution 371, introduced by our distinguished 
colleague, the gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito), 
acknowledges the importance of Women's History Month. I commend her for 
bringing this resolution to the floor.
  Women's History Month, the month of March, recognizes the many 
contributions American women have made to make our Nation free, strong, 
and a force for peace and justice around the world.
  Women's History Month also encourages every American to learn more 
about these important contributions, and to celebrate the noble 
legacies of women as we work to build a brighter future for our Nation 
and for all the world's people.
  Furthermore, Women's History Month calls upon all the people of the 
United States to observe this month with appropriate programs, 
ceremonies, and activities. Women's History Month provides our country 
the privilege of honoring the countless contributions that American 
women have made throughout our history. Women have enriched our culture 
and strengthened our Nation. Women have furthered the Founders' vision 
for a free and just republic that provides opportunity and safety at 
home and is promoting peace around the globe.
  Mr. Speaker, there are countless examples of women who have 
contributed to our society. It would take us all evening to go through 
that litany.
  To give just a flavor or a touch of some important examples set by 
women, we need look no further than Helen Keller, who overcame 
debilitating physical illness; Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman in 
America awarded a medical degree; Clara Barton, who developed a vision 
for helping others through her service to the wounded during the Civil 
War. She later founded the American Red Cross, an organization that has 
since become renowned for its effectiveness in helping those in 
suffering or in need.
  There was Sacajawea, a Native American woman who guided the famous 
Lewis and Clark expedition.
  Indeed, Mr. Speaker, thousands of women across our Nation are 
furthering the cause of freedom and opportunity. They serve in 
government, the military, and other organizations. They serve in 
Congress.
  Women are playing an important role as we seek to defeat terrorism 
and bring justice to those responsible for the September 11 attacks. 
The best example is President Bush's distinguished national security 
adviser, Condoleezza Rice.
  Women of strength, vision, and character have long influenced our 
country with their time, efforts, and wisdom in vastly diverse ways to 
improve and enhance worthwhile causes in their individual communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important 
resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the distinguished 
gentlewoman from West Virginia (Mrs. Capito) be permitted to control 
the remainder of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  Mrs. MORELLA. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to join with my colleagues in expressing 
our very enthusiastic support of this resolution, which seeks to 
recognize Women's History Month.
  One would think that we would not need to have a special resolution 
or a special designation of a month in order to raise the consciousness 
and appreciation of the people all across the country on the many 
contributions that women have made in all fields of human endeavor, 
whether it be sciences or in exploration or in politics or in all 
manner of social services.

                              {time}  1930

  But the fact remains that we do have this month, and it is very 
important that the Congress pay special note of this month and its 
designation in order to call upon all institutions, all entities, all 
organizations and people, schools in particular, that this month has 
special significance for the women all across this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman 
from California (Ms. Millender-McDonald), the cochair of the Women's 
Caucus in support of this resolution.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my dear 
friend and colleague, and a woman who has established herself as a 
leader in this country. I would really like to speak about my very own 
Congresswoman, the gentlewoman from Hawaii (Mrs. Mink), the first Asian 
American ever to be elected to this body, and what a leader she has 
become and she is.
  The gentlewoman from Hawaii (Mrs. Mink) was instrumental in passing

[[Page H976]]

Title 9 in this Chamber to enable our young girls to see opportunities 
that they had not seen before in the fields of sports and other areas 
of education. We have such a leader as the gentlewoman from Hawaii 
(Mrs. Mink) with us today, who is helping to groom the younger Members 
who are coming in and helping them to learn the process of this august 
body.
  As we recognize Women's History Month, it is the leaders such as the 
gentlewoman from Hawaii (Mrs. Mink), the gentlewoman from Maryland 
(Mrs. Morella) and others who have distinguished themselves in this 
body.
  Mr. Speaker, I last evening spoke to a group of women veterans in 
celebration of this particular week dedicated to women veterans. We 
find that women have increased in our armed services from about 7 
percent to 14 percent. They are now not only just the nurses in our 
armed forces, but they serve now and are really flying fighter planes 
in Afghanistan and other parts of the world, as we know, and see hot 
spots throughout the world. Certainly women have positioned themselves 
on the front lines of these very hot spots.
  Women have positioned themselves in high tech, in viewing tomorrow's 
era, in viewing tomorrow's world, where young women will become 
scientists and biologists. And so today I am happy to recognize Women's 
History Month and to advance the leadership of women throughout the 
globe and to even put a spotlight on the women of this House, those who 
have been leaders for all of us.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, today I stand here in support of Women's History Month 
and Resolution 371. Before 1970, women's history was rarely the subject 
of serious study. Since then, however, this field has undergone a 
metamorphosis. Today, almost every college offers women's history 
courses and most major graduate programs offer doctoral degrees in the 
field.
  It is no secret that the representation of women and men in 
government is not equal, but it is also worth noting that this Congress 
has the most females ever serving in the history of the United States. 
The strides women have made into public service, holding leadership 
positions on all levels of government, is something we should recognize 
and celebrate.
  I would like to take a moment and recognize some remarkable women 
from West Virginia: Phyllis Curtain, a remarkable opera star; Pearl S. 
Buck, a fantastic author; Mattie Lee, a woman who created a home for 
women, where they could live and work early in the 1920s and 1930s in 
our country; Karen LaRoe, President of the West Virginia University 
Institute of Technology; Bertie Cohen, a community volunteer; and 
Henrietta Marquis, a physician in Charleston, West Virginia, who 
recently passed away, who practiced into her 90s. These women, all West 
Virginians, all different, were pioneers of their time.
  We know that democracy needs all genders, races, religions and 
ethnicities to participate in order to provide proper representation. 
As a mother and a wife, I think I bring a different perspective to the 
debate over issues than a husband or father would. Neither one is more 
right than the other, just different. The plurality of these different 
people working together as one government can better serve West 
Virginia and the rest of America.
  I stand here today to celebrate all of the bold actions and wonderful 
achievements of the women who have gone before me. I ask my colleagues 
to stand up as we celebrate Women's History Month and work to broaden 
our perceptions to include all of those who normally could be excluded, 
especially in giving our sisters and daughters an opportunity to serve 
their communities, their States and their country.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. MINK of Hawaii. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as we ask this House to recognize Women's History Month, 
I think it is important to know how this whole project began.
  In 1970 women's history was a very fledgling idea. It was started by 
the Education Task Force of Sonoma County, California. A Commission on 
the Status of Women was initiated and they put together a Women's 
History Week for that county. Our colleague, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Woolsey), told me early on of her participation in 
establishing and recognizing this week. There were many projects that 
people participated in.
  Finally, in 1979, the director of the Sonoma County Commission 
established a Women's History Institute, and from there it grew and 
grew until March of 1980 when President Jimmy Carter issued a 
Presidential message to the American people encouraging the recognition 
and celebration of women's history all throughout America. And so, from 
that point of March 1980, the recognition of women's history week at 
that time was part of the national agenda.
  The Senators on the other side co-sponsored a joint resolution and in 
March 8, 1981, the first national Women's History Week was established. 
This has provided for the establishment of many clearinghouses. All 
across the country, schools have also adopted it as a project, and 
women within local communities have been recognized for the outstanding 
work that they have performed not only for their community but for the 
State.
  In 1987, at the request of national women's organizations, museums, 
libraries and other leaders in this country, the national Women's 
History Project was formed, and Congress was petitioned to expand the 
national celebration to an entire month. So, since 1987, this has been 
a great event for women to celebrate.
  So I am very pleased on behalf of our colleagues to join in this 
request to have the House unanimously endorse the designation of March 
as National Women's History Month for the year 2002.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank my colleague from Hawaii (Mrs. 
Mink) for her wonderful statement and also for the pioneering ways that 
you did that allowed me to come and be elected this very first time to 
my first term in Congress. I thank the gentlewoman for her 
contributions, and I thank her in joining me in celebrating March as 
Women's History Month.
  I urge all of the Members to support this resolution and to reflect 
upon our democracy. This special month creates an opportunity for all 
of us to remember the women who have played a critical role in the life 
of our great country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). The question is on the motion 
offered by the gentlewoman from Maryland (Mrs. Morella) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 371.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed until tomorrow.

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