[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7321-S7322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING CORINNE ``LINDY'' CLAIBORNE BOGGS ON 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
                FOUNDING OF CONGRESSIONAL WOMEN'S CAUCUS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to H. Con. Res. 439 just received from the House.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent 
resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 439) honoring Corinne 
     ``Lindy'' Claiborne Boggs on the occasion of the 25th 
     anniversary of the founding of the Congressional Women's 
     Caucus.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I rise today to express my admiration 
and gratitude to a woman who served the State of Louisiana and indeed 
the entire Nation with devotion and sense of unwavering dedication. 
Throughout her life, she answered every call to service made to her.
  Lindy came to Washington in 1940 with her husband, the late Hale 
Boggs and following his tragic death in 1972, she became the first 
woman to elected to the House of Representatives from the State of 
Louisiana. She continued

[[Page S7322]]

her service to Congress until 1990, when she retired to New Orleans. In 
Congress she sat on the Appropriations Committee and the Select 
Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, spearheading legislation on 
issues ranging from civil rights to pay equity for women. She chaired 
the committees on the Bicentennials of the American Constitution in 
1987 and the House of Representatives in 1989. In 1997, President 
Clinton asked her to assist her country once again, this time as the 
American ambassador to the Vatican.
  But the reasons to honor Lindy go far beyond a recitation of her 
resume, distinguished as it may be. Lindy Boggs continues to be a role 
model for those of us in Congress and thousands of young women across 
this country who aspire to public service. She used her Southern charm 
and keen political mind to become one of the most formidable forces in 
the U.S. House of Representatives. She served as a mentor and teacher 
to me as well as the Congresswomen that followed her. She not only 
taught them the rules and expectations of Members of Congress, she 
taught us how to be a strong, independent women.
  Lindy is the founder of the Congressional Women's Caucus, a 
legislative body that has done so much in its 25-year history. Twenty-
five years ago, very few women had served in the Senate, and today we 
have 13. Thirteen women, and that number is sure to grow. As women, we 
champion the rights of women everywhere from Afghanistan to China and 
even here at home. We are a force to be reckoned with, and Lindy is our 
leader.
  What is most impressive about Lindy is the long list of firsts that 
accompany her biography. She was the first female Representative 
elected from Louisiana, the first women to chair the National 
Democratic Convention, the first women to sit on the Board of Regents 
of the Smithsonian Institution and the first woman to serve as 
ambassador to the Holy See.
  She continues to be my mentor and even more, my friend. It is an 
honor to join the entire Louisiana delegation and I am sure women in 
public service everywhere to honor this very special Louisiana and 
American, Lindy Boggs.
  Mr. REID. I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution and 
preamble be agreed to and the motion to reconsider be laid upon the 
table, without intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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