[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 31 (Tuesday, March 15, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2731-S2732]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             HATTIE CARAWAY

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, every year in March we celebrate 
Women's History Month. It offers us the opportunity to honor the women 
who have made historical contributions to our Nation. It also allows us 
time to reflect on their achievements, which continue to inspire us 
every single day.
  Today, I rise in tribute to one of these very special women. A woman 
dear to my heart and dear to the hearts of generations of Arkansans, 
whose courage and convictions forever changed the history of this Great 
Body. That woman is Hattie Ophelia Wyatt Caraway. On January 12, 1932, 
this Arkansan became the first woman ever elected to the United States 
Senate.
  When we think of the life of Hattie Caraway, we think of a life 
devoted to the family, State, and country that she loved so deeply. 
Those who knew her were drawn to her endearing sense of humor, her 
gentle and dignified manner, and her warmth. The example she set, both 
personally and professionally, has always been an inspiration to me, 
and as the second woman to serve Arkansas in the U.S. Senate, I feel a 
special bond with Hattie and am humbled to follow in her footsteps.
  Hattie Caraway came to this distinguished body on November 13, 1931, 
following the death of her husband, Senator Thaddeus Caraway. An 
appointment by the Governor of Arkansas allowed her to temporarily fill 
the seat of her husband, and the historic special election that 
followed allowed her to achieve what no woman had ever achieved--an 
elected seat in the U.S. Senate. It was not only a testament to the 
openmindedness and fairness of the people of Arkansas, but it was a 
testament to Hattie Caraway and the kind of woman she was.
  Upon the conclusion of her husband's term, it was generally expected 
that Hattie would retire and quietly settle down with her family back 
in Arkansas. In doing so, the seat that she and her husband had proudly 
served for 12 years would go to one of the candidates, including a 
former Governor and U.S. Senator, who were now running for the 
nomination. But Hattie Caraway was never one to make decisions based on 
the expectations of others. With a firm belief that ``women are just as 
loyal, courageous, and self-sacrificing as men,'' she stood boldly in 
the face of overwhelming odds to campaign for a full Senate term. 
Although she had little campaign funding and was less experienced than 
her male opponents, she got support from an unlikely source--the 
legendary Senator Huey Long, of neighboring Louisiana.
  Not only were the Caraways and the Longs close friends but Senator 
Long had come to respect his new female colleague for her undaunted 
courage in voting against special interests and standing up for the 
people in her home State. Upon arriving in Arkansas for the campaign, 
what the two of them would accomplish together that first week of 
August in 1931 would become legend. The week-long ``Hattie and Huey 
Tour'' wound its way through the State, speaking in more than 35 
communities, traveling over 2,000 miles, and drawing huge crowds. With 
the fiery Long imploring crowds that, ``If Wall Street and their gang 
succeed in defeating enough Senators who have stood with the people 
like this little woman from Arkansas has . . . You'll never be able to 
get anyone from this State to stand by you again,'' he effectively 
introduced Hattie to new areas

[[Page S2732]]

of the State. As a result, the depression-stricken Arkansans who had 
endured months of unemployment, poverty, and low farm prices began to 
see Hattie Caraway for who she was, an honorable friend and neighbor 
who would always remain an advocate for the best interests of them and 
their families. At the polls, the people of Arkansas stood by Hattie in 
overwhelming numbers, doubling the votes of her nearest rival and 
carrying 61 of Arkansas' 75 counties.

  In the Senate, it was rare for ``Silent Hattie'' to participate 
actively in debate or deliver a speech to the chamber. She had learned 
from her husband's years of public service and was weary of the 
politicians who placed a higher priority on hearing their own voice 
than working on behalf of the people they were elected to represent, 
often remarking, ``It's funny how they talk on after we've all made up 
our minds.'' Senator Caraway took her responsibilities as a legislator 
seriously and built a reputation among her colleagues as a woman of 
integrity who showed a determination to faithfully champion the 
interests of Arkansas above everything else.
  Although she maintained her political independence, Hattie was a 
proponent of much of the legislation proposed under President Franklin 
Roosevelt's New Deal. As a friend to the veterans and a critic of 
lobbying groups, Hattie also advocated commercial aviation safety and 
used her seat on the Senate Agriculture Committee to fight for farm 
relief and flood control on behalf of Arkansas farmers. Her diligent 
service and effective advocacy of legislation for Arkansas won her 
another term in 1938, beating in the Democratic primary a legend in 
Arkansas politics who would later serve 34 years in the U.S. Senate, 
John L. McClellan.
  Quickly becoming accustomed to breaking the Senate's gender barriers, 
Hattie became the first woman to chair a Senate committee, the 
Committee on Enrolled Bills, in 1933 and 10 years later would become 
the first woman to serve as Presiding Officer on the floor of the 
Senate. Her legacy would also be distinguished by the support she 
offered for many of the Nation's historical pieces of legislation. One 
of these bills was President Roosevelt's lend-lease proposal and Hattie 
gained national notoriety by speaking assertively on its behalf. This 
program of lending supplies and materials to England to assist in their 
war effort was viewed by many isolationists in the United States as an 
unnecessary measure that would drag our Nation into war. In that time, 
women were seldom involved in issues of war and national security but 
Hattie's voice was influential in passing the lend-lease bill through 
Congress. Hoping to avoid war at all costs, she felt lend-lease would 
only strengthen England's effort to provide the ``last wall protecting 
us from Naziism.'' As the proud mother of sons serving our Nation in 
uniform, she was a credible voice on the issue and her plea to view the 
matter without emotion struck a chord among Americans.
  Hattie's historic Senate career came to a conclusion during the 
Democratic primary of 1944, when she was defeated by another Arkansas 
political legend, J. William Fulbright. At the conclusion of her final 
term, Hattie was honored by her Senate colleagues with a standing 
ovation on the floor of the Senate. Those on hand described it as 
``almost without precedent.''
  Although Hattie passed away in December of 1950, her impact is still 
felt in the institution she served and by all of those who have found 
inspiration in the life she led. In 1996, a portrait of Hattie was 
placed just outside the Senate Chamber in the U.S. Capitol. The 
portrait is only the second in the Senate's permanent art collection 
which honors a woman; the first is Pocahontas. In 2001, Hattie made 
history again when she became the first Arkansan to ever appear on a 
stamp and I was proud to help unveil the 76-cent Hattie Caraway 
definitive stamp, as a part of the Postal Service's ``Distinguished 
Americans'' series.
  While there are many ways for us to remember Hattie, her lasting 
legacy will live on in those who have been inspired by her example and 
in the generations of women seeking elective office who have followed 
the road she has so boldly paved. We have come a long way since the 
Suffragist Movement at the beginning of the last century, and we have 
women like Hattie Caraway to thank. Thirty-one women have followed 
Hattie Caraway to the U.S. Senate, and today, a record 14 women are 
currently serving. With the 68 women serving in the U.S. House of 
Representatives, a record 82 currently women serve in the U.S. Congress 
today. Hattie would be proud. It is up to us to continue the progress 
she made and to urge a new generation to follow the heroic example set 
by her and so many other pioneering women.
  When I think of Hattie Caraway, I think of a quote she made 
throughout her 1932 campaign. I carried it with me throughout my first 
Senate campaign: ``If I can hold on to my sense of humor and a modicum 
of dignity, I shall have a wonderful time running for office whether I 
get there or not.'' Well, Hattie, you got there. In the process, your 
humor carried you through and your dignity earned you the affection of 
generations who are inspired to follow in your footsteps despite 
whatever barriers they may encounter or traditions they must overcome.
  In the illustrious history of this great body and in the hearts of 
those who are inspired by her courage, one woman clearly stands out. 
Her name is Hattie Caraway. I am proud that she is from my home State 
of Arkansas, and I am proud to call her one of my heroes.
  Each of us has our own personal story about a woman who has provided 
our lives with hope and inspiration. During this month, take some time 
to tell that story. By doing so, you will not only honor their efforts 
but may also inspire a member of our younger generation with both the 
imagination to think a bit larger, and the courage to boldly turn their 
dreams into reality.

                          ____________________