[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
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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
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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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