[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 51 (Wednesday, April 2, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E472]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    THE GOALS, IDEALS, AND HISTORY OF NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 1, 2008

  Mr. SHULER1. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1021, 
honoring the goals, ideals, and history of National Women's History 
Month, which recognizes the women and organizations in the United 
States, past and present, who have fought for and continue to promote 
women's rights and history. This resolution will ensure that the legacy 
of gender equality continues and that the struggles of those who came 
before us and fought for equality are not forgotten.
  The revolutionary ideas of equality on which our Nation was built 
took a long time to be extended to the whole population. The abolition 
movement of the mid-1800s fought for the equal treatment of men 
regardless of race and brought together many female activists, such as 
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott. These women went on to host 
the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention, where many women gathered in a large 
public forum to discuss women's rights and expressed themselves through 
a Declaration of Sentiments, which was based on our Nation's founding 
document.
  Although over 70 years passed between this momentous gathering and 
the passage and ratification of the 19th amendment, the work and 
dedication of women pushing for the right to vote and equal treatment 
under the law is a lasting legacy. We are reminded daily of the 
successes of the women's suffrage movement as we walk through the 
United States Capitol Rotunda and pass the portrait monument to 
Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony.
  Without the diligent work and dedication of those women who strove 
for equal representation in Government, we would not have been able to 
have you, Ms. Pelosi, serve as the first female Speaker of our House of 
Representatives.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues today to vote for this important 
resolution that will give due honor and respect to the women of America 
past and present with the celebration of National Women's History 
Month.

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