[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 144 (Wednesday, October 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MRS. SARAH JOSEPHA HALE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CHARLES F. BASS

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 15, 2003

  Mr. BASS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of 
Mrs. Sarah Josepha Hale of Newport, New Hampshire, a community I 
represent in Congress. As November approaches, I am reminded of Mrs. 
Hale's outstanding contributions to American society and literary 
culture, including her lasting legacy as initial sponsor of our 
national Thanksgiving Day.
  Mrs. Hale overcame 19th century social adversity to become the first 
female editorialist in American History. During her tenure as editor of 
the American Ladies Magazine and later Godey's Ladies Magazine, Mrs. 
Hale acted as an advocate for women's right to equality of education, 
property, and wages. She was also a successful novelist and poet, 
penning the classic ``Mary Had a Little Lamb,'' as well as a devoted 
single mother of five children.
  During the Civil War, Mrs. Hale took an active role as an advocate 
for the creation of a ``Day of National Thanksgiving.'' Knowing that 
President Washington had originally called for a Thanksgiving Day in 
1789, she pressed for its reinstatement as a day for all Americans to 
come together and celebrate as a nation. Following the horrors 
exhibited at the Battle of Gettysburg, President Lincoln chose to 
accept her suggestion, and proclaimed the last Thursday in November of 
each year a day of national celebration.
  In this, the 140th year since the Thanksgiving Holiday was 
established, please let the record reflect our commemoration of Mrs. 
Hale's achievements. In a period of crucial national challenges, her 
life of personal service should be a model for all citizens seeking to 
make positive contributions to our great society, and I am proud to 
represent her legacy here in Congress.

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