[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

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                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, throughout the month of 
March we observe National Women's History Month, which pays tribute to 
the contributions of women in this Nation. I rise today to recognize 
the women of our country, who have played an important role in shaping 
America's history.
  During the month of March we have the opportunity to take pause and 
celebrate the important contributions of all women, past and present. 
Not only have women been leaders in securing their rights of suffrage 
and equal opportunity, but they have played a crucial role in the 
abolitionist movement, labor movements and the Civil Right's movement.
  Leading women in history from Abigail Adams, Harriet Beecher Stowe, 
Sojourner Truth, and Eleanor Roosevelt have paved the way for 
contemporary figures such as Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of 
the House of Representatives. Connecticut has been the proud home of 
significant women such as Americas first female governor to he elected 
in her own right--Governor Ella Grasso, and the long-serving champion 
of the First District and my predecessor, Congresswoman Barbara 
Kennelly--the first woman in American history to serve as a Deputy 
Majority Whip and to serve on the House Intelligence Committee.
  I would be remiss if I did not mention the contributions of Elizabeth 
Colt, often referred to as the ``First Lady'' of Connecticut. Elizabeth 
Colt lived in a pre-women's suffrage era, but she refused to surrender 
to the pervasive gender inequalities of her day. The wife of American 
inventor and industrialist Samuel Colt, she carried on her husband's 
dream and life's work after his death and successfully ran their 
industrial empire. She was an entrepreneur, patron of the arts, 
philanthropist, and staunch advocate for women's rights--she will long 
be remembered for her contributions to the Hartford area.
  There are many women, named and unnamed throughout American history 
that have broken glass ceilings and gender barriers for the next 
generation. As the father of two daughters, I honor the historical 
women of our country and take great pride in the fact my daughters can 
grow up in a country where anything is possible for them.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
trailblazers who have paved the way for women's equality and 
recognizing the many contributions that women have made to our Nation 
and to the entire world by promoting the ideals celebrated in National 
Women's History Month.

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