[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 93 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1250-E1251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE MERCURY 13 WOMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2007

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 
421, to honor the trailblazing accomplishments of the ``Mercury 13'' 
women, whose efforts in the early 1960s

[[Page E1251]]

demonstrated the capabilities of American women to undertake the human 
exploration of space.
  The 13 women who participated in this program demonstrated the 
willingness and capability that women all around the world, past and 
present, possess, and in many cases must possess to overcome an 
indictment of sexism and discrimination that our society often 
presents. Although their participation in these tests and trials 
yielded no concrete results, the 13 women trailblazers ought to be 
recognized for having endured and overcome such grueling physical, 
medical and psychological astronautical fitness examinations.
  These 13 women--Jerri Cobb, Wally Funk, Irene Leverton, Myrtle ``K'' 
Cagle, Jane B. Hart, Gene Nora Stumbough (Jessen), Jerri Sloan 
(Truhill), Rhea Hurrle (Woltman), Sarah Gorelick (Ratley), Bernice 
``B'' Trimble Steadman, Jan Dietrich, and the late Marlon Dietrich and 
Jean Hixson--all surpassed society's expectations of rejections, by 
proving that although women are typically smaller and lighter than men, 
women are still fit to be good occupants in cramped space vehicles. 
These women attempted the dream that many others only dreamed of--
flying the newest and the fastest craft.
  Mr. Speaker, though few Americans know the names of the 13 women 
trailblazers, their valiant attempts to earn the opportunity to fly a 
spacecraft call for worldwide recognition. Because of the secrecy of 
the test programs, these women never received the recognition for their 
accomplishments, which laid that critical groundwork for women who have 
reached and those who are seeking to reach the skies. We can show our 
gratitude and appreciation for these women trailblazers by honoring 
them with the passing of this bill.
  As a representative of the 18th Congressional District of Texas, home 
to an integral number of space exploration projects, centers, 
businesses, and constituents employed in the space industry, I strongly 
support legislation that seeks to inspire, motivate and recognize those 
individuals who assist with the improvement and advancement of space 
exploration.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H. 
Res. 421 to honor the trailblazing accomplishments of the 13 female 
pilots of Mercury 13.

                          ____________________