[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 34 (Thursday, March 16, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E400-E401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     MARCH IS WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 16, 2006

  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, in March, we celebrate Women's History 
Month and

[[Page E401]]

honor the historic contributions that women have made our great Nation. 
We remember those who have fought for progress in women's rights and 
recognize those who continue to fight to expand opportunities for 
women.
  Recently, I, along with other Members of Congress, welcomed Liberian 
President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to the U.S. Capitol where she addressed 
a Joint Session of Congress. It was a moving experience to hear the 
first woman elected president of an African country. President Johnson-
Sirleaf's historic achievement is an inspiration and she embodies the 
theme of this year's Women's History Month--``Women: Builders of 
Communities and Dreams.''
  During the past year, we lost several remarkable women whose courage 
and vision transformed our Nation. Coretta Scott King was not only the 
keeper of the flame, but a woman who worked for change so that all 
Americans would have the opportunity to experience true freedom and 
justice. Rosa Parks' courage and determination launched the Montgomery, 
Alabama bus boycott and sparked the civil rights movement. Betty 
Friedan, one of the founders of the modern women's rights movement, 
agitated and struggled, never ceasing the fight, for women's rights.
  In spite of the efforts of these and other brave women, much work 
still needs to be done to fulfill the legacy of these women. We must 
redouble our efforts to create a Nation where everyone has an equal 
opportunity to succeed. We must pursue new policies that promote 
economic prosperity, affordable healthcare, and strong public schools.
  America can do better. This March, as we recognize and celebrate the 
contributions of our great American heroines, we must rededicate 
ourselves to making the future for all of America's girls and women 
full of hope and opportunity.

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