[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 78 (Tuesday, May 13, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H3726-H3729]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        ALICE PAUL WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL ACT

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill 
(H.R. 406) to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal to Alice 
Paul in recognition of her role in the women's suffrage movement and in 
advancing equal rights for women, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 406

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Alice Paul Women's Suffrage 
     Congressional Gold Medal Act''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       The Congress finds as follows:
       (1) Alice Paul was born on January, 11, 1885, in Moorestown 
     New Jersey, and died on July 9, 1977.
       (2) Alice Paul dedicated her life to securing suffrage and 
     equal rights for all women and, as founder of the National 
     Woman's Party, she was instrumental in the passage of the 
     19th Amendment to the United States Constitution.
       (3) Alice Paul and the National Woman's Party were the 
     first group ever to picket the White House.
       (4) While President Woodrow Wilson trumpeted America's 
     values of democracy abroad during World War I, Alice Paul was 
     dedicated to reminding the President that not all Americans 
     enjoyed democracy at home.
       (5) Alice Paul used nonviolent civil disobedience to bring 
     national attention to the women's suffrage movement, such as 
     the 3-week hunger strike she undertook when she was sentenced 
     to jail in October, 1917, for her demonstrations.
       (6) Alice Paul's courage inspired thousands of women to 
     join the women's suffrage movement.

[[Page H3727]]

       (7) Instead of patiently waiting for States to grant women 
     suffrage, Alice Paul mobilized an entire generation of women 
     to pressure the United States Congress and the President to 
     give all women in America the right to vote.
       (8) Alice Paul did not stop her fight after the 19th 
     Amendment was ratified; she drafted the Equal Rights 
     Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1923 and 
     fought tirelessly for its passage until her death 54 years 
     later.
       (9) Alice Paul lobbied Congress to include gender in civil 
     rights bills and was successful in including sex 
     discrimination in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
       (10) Alice Paul sought equal rights for women all over the 
     world, not just Americans and, as a means of pursuing this 
     goal, founded the World Party for Equal Rights for Women in 
     the 1930's.
       (11) Alice Paul was instrumental in the placement of a 
     passage on gender equality in the preamble of the United 
     Nations Charter.
       (12) Few people have played a greater role in shaping the 
     history of the United States than Alice Paul.
       (13) Alice Paul is an example to all Americans of what one 
     person can do to make a difference for millions of people.

     SEC. 3. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL.

       (a) Presentation Authorized.--The Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate 
     shall make appropriate arrangements for the presentation, on 
     behalf of the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate design 
     in commemoration of Alice Paul, in recognition of her role in 
     the women's suffrage movement and in advancing equal rights 
     for women.
       (b) Presentation and Display.--The medal referred to in 
     subsection (a) shall be presented jointly to representatives 
     of the Alice Paul Institute and the Sewall-Belmont House, to 
     be shared equally and displayed as appropriate.
       (c) Design and Striking.--For purposes of the presentation 
     referred to in subsection (a), the Secretary of the Treasury 
     (hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall strike a gold medal with suitable emblems, devices, and 
     inscriptions, to be determined by the Secretary.

     SEC. 4. DUPLICATE MEDALS.

       The Secretary may strike and sell duplicates in bronze of 
     the gold medal struck pursuant to section 3 under such 
     regulations as the Secretary may prescribe, at a price 
     sufficient to cover the cost thereof, including labor, 
     materials, dies, use of machinery, and overhead expenses, and 
     the cost of the gold medal.

     SEC. 5. STATUS OF MEDALS.

       (a) National Medals.--The medals struck pursuant to this 
     Act are national medals for purposes of chapter 51 of title 
     31, United States Code.
       (b) Numismatic Items.--For purposes of section 5134 of 
     title 31, United States Code, all medals struck under this 
     Act shall be considered to be numismatic items.

     SEC. 6. AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS; PROCEEDS OF SALE.

       (a) Authority To Use Fund Amounts.--There is authorized to 
     be charged against the United States Mint Public Enterprise 
     Fund, such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs 
     of the medals struck pursuant to this Act.
       (b) Proceeds of Sale.--Amounts received from the sale of 
     duplicate bronze medals authorized under section 4 shall be 
     deposited into the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Baca) and the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on 
this legislation and to insert extraneous materials thereon.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  First, I would like to thank Chairman Frank; Ranking Member Spencer 
Bachus, the minority member; and I'd also like to thank Representative 
Judy Biggert, who is also a cosponsor of the legislation and who is 
managing this on the floor this morning. I also want to take time to 
thank all of my colleagues in the House of Representatives for their 
support.
  This is bipartisan legislation that has 406 cosponsors out of the 435 
Members. The title of the bill is H.R. 406, and there are 406 
cosponsors.
  I also want to thank my staff for their hard work and dedication to 
the passage of this legislation.
  I rise today in strong support of H.R. 406, the Alice Paul Women's 
Suffrage Congressional Gold Medal Act, a bill to honor Alice Paul, a 
woman who dedicated her life to equality. This legislation is supported 
by the National Council of Women's Organizations, the Alice Paul 
Institute, the Sewall-Belmont House and Museum, the League of Women 
Voters, MANA, the 4-E-R-A, and the National Organization of Women.
  This legislation awards Alice Paul and the movement she spearheaded 
the Congressional Gold Medal, to recognize her role in the women's 
suffrage movement and in advancing equal rights, and I state equal 
rights, for women.
  Many people do not know about Alice Paul, but today they will. It is 
my hope that this legislation will ratify that fact.
  Because of Alice Paul and the work of other suffragists, we have the 
19th amendment to the United States Constitution that guarantees that 
women have the right to vote. Women have the right to be Members of 
Congress, State officials, and to participate in local policies and the 
ability to run for public office. That's why here in Congress, we 
currently have 87 women in Congress. Because of Alice Paul, Speaker 
Pelosi can be the Democratic leader right here in the 110th Congress. 
Because of Alice Paul, Senator Clinton can run for the highest office 
in the Nation and maybe be the President of the United States of 
America.
  Alice Paul was a remarkable person who made America more democratic 
by fighting for equal rights and creating opportunities for women. She 
advocated for women in our country as well as in the Americas, within 
the confines of the United Nations. Alice Paul helped draft the equal 
rights amendment in 1923. In 1923. Alice Paul lobbied to ensure that 
sex discrimination was included in title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 
1964.
  I want to stress the blood, sweat, and tears that went hand in hand 
with the women's suffrage movement. Alice Paul truly gave of herself. 
She motivated, she empowered women to fight, to have courage, and to 
challenge the status quo.
  Alice Paul's leadership was unyielding, tenacious, and never self-
serving. She suffered imprisonment, solitary confinement, and force 
feeding when officials tried sabotage her hunger strike. She dedicated 
her life for women's rights. A true American. A true champion. An 
American worthy of our gratitude and never-ending respect.
  Her work must be honored and preserved by congressional 
acknowledgment. The Congressional Gold Medal is only a small token in 
comparison to the legacy that Alice Paul gave us all. Alice Paul's 
contribution to America cannot be understated. For this reason I urge 
all Members to support its passage.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Today I rise in support of H.R. 406, the Alice Paul Women's Suffrage 
Congressional Gold Medal Act. This legislation will recognize Alice 
Paul's role in the women's suffrage movement with the award of the 
Congressional Gold Medal, Congress's highest civilian honor.
  It's a great honor to be speaking on this bill authored by my friend 
and colleague from California, Congressman Baca. I commend the 
gentleman for his work on this act.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill celebrates the 72-year struggle towards 
women's suffrage and the woman who devoted her life to that movement, 
Alice Paul.

                              {time}  1645

  To many, Alice Paul symbolizes the very spirit of determination and 
resilience of the suffrage movement.
  She was born in 1885 to Quaker parents. Alice Paul's childhood was 
somewhat of an anomaly for the time, because she was raised with the 
belief of gender equality. In this way, her childhood reflected the 
vision of the larger society she would work to forge until her death.
  A graduate of Swarthmore College, a recipient of a Ph.D. from the 
University of Pennsylvania, and a believer in working towards the 
betterment of society, Alice Paul became an ardent proponent of women's 
suffrage in 1907 while in London.
  Upon her return to the United States in 1910, Ms. Paul brought the 
determination of the English movement to bear on the American campaign. 
She

[[Page H3728]]

joined the National American Women's Suffrage Association and was 
quickly charged with heading the drive for a Federal suffrage 
amendment.
  Recognizing that boldness was needed to accomplish her task, Alice 
Paul organized a parade comprised of woman to coincide with the 
inauguration of President Woodrow Wilson. The participating women were 
attacked with both insults and physical violence. However, the news 
made headlines and suffrage became a popular topic throughout the 
Nation.
  Because of differences on tactics, Alice Paul left Women Suffrage 
Association and formed the National Woman's Party. Paul and her newly 
formed party were more aggressively than ever, picketing a war-time 
President and staging hunger strikes. Such methods were met with 
vehement opposition from authorities who arrested Paul and members of 
her group, subjecting them to horrific prison conditions and even 
attempted to have Paul declared insane. Yet nothing deterred her. Paul 
continued the march towards enfranchisement.
  The suffragist's imprisonment and abuse caused a public outcry so 
strong that President Wilson reversed his position on a suffrage 
amendment, supporting it as a necessary ``war-time'' measure. It passed 
the House and Senate in 1919, and was ratified by the necessary three-
fourths of States in 1920. In August of 1920 American women gained the 
right to vote.
  However, Alice Paul's advocacy did not end with that triumph. In 
1923, Alice Paul began her work on the Equal Rights Amendment, the ERA. 
The amendment was introduced in every session of Congress from 1923 
until its passage in 1972. To date, the amendment has never been become 
part of the U.S. Constitution. It has been ratified by 35 of the 
necessary 38 States needed to ratify the Constitution. Alice Paul 
fought for its passage each time. And we continue to fight for it to 
become an amendment to the U.S. Constitution in honor of Alice Paul.
  Today, two prominent institutions work to memorialize Paul's life and 
the progress of the women's movement: The Alice Paul Institute and the 
Sewall-Belmont House and Museum in Washington. This Congressional Gold 
Medal will be displayed in an alternating fashion at these two 
establishments, further honoring Ms. Paul and her legacy.
  This historic movement and this historic woman gave this Nation so 
much. H.R. 406 acknowledges this fact, commemorating Alice Paul. I urge 
its immediate passage.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield such time as she might 
consume to the gentlewoman from California, my good friend, Grace 
Napolitano.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. I thank my good friend and colleague, Joe Baca, from 
California for authoring this important legislation and thank Judy 
Biggert for supporting H.R. 406, the Alice Paul Congressional Gold 
Medal Act that would honor a true pioneer, one of the original 
suffragettes, as the progress of women's rights and equality continues 
to be such a strong need in our country.
  In the early 20th century, she followed Susan B. Anthony and 
Elizabeth Cady Stanton. She recognized the disenfranchisement of women 
from political and public sectors and made it her passion to reconcile 
these injustices.
  Alice Stokes Paul was a Quaker from Mount Laurel, New Jersey. She 
went to Swarthmore College and got her B.A. in 1905, which was unheard 
of in that time period. As was said before, she went to the New York 
School of Philanthropy, the University of Pennsylvania where she got 
her M.A. in Sociology, the University of Birmingham, the London School 
of Economics in 1907, and then the University of Pennsylvania where she 
got a Ph.D. in political science. Her dissertation at the time was the 
legal position of women in Pennsylvania.
  Then in 1927, she received an LL.M. followed by a doctor of civil law 
degree in 1928 from the American University's Washington College of 
Law. As was mentioned, she joined the National American Women Suffrage 
Association in 1912, had done remarkable work with Lucy Burns, formed 
the Congressional Union, as was also mentioned. She actually laid the 
groundwork for the continuing of women to be able to have parity and 
equal rights.
  She employed nonviolent civil disobedience campaigns, the hunger 
strike for which she was put into a prison psychiatric ward and force 
fed. She made it her passion to be able to continue fighting for the 
rights of women.
  She energized a movement that produced a formal voice for women in 
politics through the voting rights. My female colleagues here in 
Washington and in Congress would not be standing before you today had 
it not been for those sacrifices made by Alice Paul and the 
suffragists. Her tireless efforts help provide women with the legal 
right to vote. That movement also fueled the social and cultural 
progress that has allowed me and others like me to participate at an 
elevated level of political progress.
  She deserves a Congressional Medal of Honor, Mr. Speaker, because her 
actions have not only given women a voice in our country but provided 
inspiration for all disenfranchised women's groups to break that 
proverbial glass ceiling.
  I want to thank my House colleagues, Joe Baca and Judy Biggert, that 
moved this bill forward. I urge the Senate to follow the House lead and 
support this legislation.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to yield such 
time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Minnesota who is also a 
member of the Financial Services Committee, Mrs. Bachmann.
  Mrs. BACHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Baca of California for 
sponsoring this legislation that is very important. Thank you for being 
so persistent in seeking 406 cosponsors of your legislation. And I also 
thank Mrs. Biggert, as well, for her timely remarks.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise with regard to H.R. 406 honoring the early 
suffragist Alice Paul who worked hard to provide better treatment for 
American women in our legal and in our political system.
  As the congressional chairman of the National American Woman Suffrage 
Association in Washington, D.C., Alice Paul performed a critical role 
in persuading Congress to pass the 19th amendment which guaranteed 
American women the right to vote. She later stated that her work in 
passing this amendment was ``the greatest thing I have I ever did.''
  Alice Paul is rightly venerated by American feminists. But few recall 
her work to also expose the effects of legalized abortion as ``the 
ultimate exploitation of women.''
  In fact, toward the end of her great career, Alice Paul grew 
frustrated with America's women's rights movement as it drifted away 
from its original mission of advocating for a better life for American 
women and in favor of legislation for abortion. Alice Paul was highly 
critical of this shift, and she harbored grave reservations about 
abortion on demand.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage you and my colleagues to join me in honoring 
this courageous women's career in its entirety. May this deliberative 
body take to heart her views on women's rights and its incompatibility 
with legalized abortion.
  I thank both Mr. Baca and Mrs. Biggert for sponsoring this 
legislation.
  Mr. BACA. Does the gentlewoman from Illinois have additional 
speakers?
  Mrs. BIGGERT. I have no additional speakers and would yield back the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. BACA. First of all, I would like to thank the gentlewoman Mrs. 
Bachmann and, of course, Congresswoman Grace Napolitano for their 
compassionate speech about H.R. 406. A true hero, a woman who will 
leave a legacy not only for our country, for our Nation, but for our 
children and others, and especially I say for my daughters, I have two 
daughters, to know that they now have the right to vote.
  And I was inspired by a movie that I saw entitled Iron Jawed Angels. 
That is how I happened to find out about Alice Paul and her history and 
contributions. I think too much time has passed and she should have 
been recognized some time ago. Were it not for she had done, many of us 
would not be in office right now because it also impacted many of us 
minorities. Not only did women gain the right to vote, but many 
minorities now have the ability

[[Page H3729]]

to vote under the 19th amendment because of women's suffrage. So I 
congratulate her.
  I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote ``aye'' for 
H.R. 406.
  Mrs. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong to support of 
H.R. 406, which awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Alice Paul.
  Every American woman is indebted to Alice Paul for her lifelong 
dedication to women's suffrage. I am living proof of the advancements 
she has made for women. I am personally gratified that Congress is 
recognizing Alice Paul's contribution to American history. Alice Paul 
was the first cousin to my husband's grandmother. In fact, I named my 
oldest daughter after her.
  Alice Paul passionately devoted her entire life to the advancement of 
women's rights. She was an extraordinary leader, ingenious fundraiser, 
and a brilliant politician. Wholeheartedly focused on suffrage, she 
lived in a cold room so she would not be tempted to sit up late and 
read novels.
  Alice Paul truly revolutionized the suffragist movement. In 1913, 
Alice Paul and fellow suffragist Lucy Burns organized an impressive 
suffrage parade on the day before Woodrow Wilson's inauguration. In 
1916, Paul founded the National Women's Party with the guiding 
philosophy of ``holding the party in power responsible.'' Paul 
adamantly believed that women should never expect to be given the vote, 
but that they must take it through their own accord.
  Under Paul's leadership, the National Women's Party was the first 
political organization in the United States to peacefully picket the 
White House. This political strategy is still widely used today. 
Originally the White House protests were tolerated by President Wilson. 
But as the women persistently picketed during the war, suffragist 
protestors were attacked by angry mobs and frequently arrested.
  The suffragist prisoners demanded to be treated as political 
prisoners and staged hunger strikes. Their demands were met with 
brutality as suffragists, including older women, were beaten, pushed 
and thrown into cold, unsanitary, rat-infested cells. Women were even 
force-fed against their will. Thanks to the countless sacrifices made 
by suffrage activists, American women were finally granted the right to 
vote in 1920.
  Yet, Alice Paul firmly believed that true fulfillment of women's 
rights was only advanced, not completely satisfied, by the achievement 
of suffrage. Paul drafted the Equal Rights Amendment for the United 
States Constitution in 1923. She devoted the rest of her life to this 
goal of constitutional protection for women's equality and today, 
feminists continue this pursuit. I have proudly continued her legacy by 
introducing the ERA every Congress since 1997.
  Alice Paul's lifelong efforts achieved great strides not only for 
American women, but for all women of the world. She founded the World 
Woman's Party in 1938. Paul and the World Woman's Party successfully 
fought for the inclusion of gender equality into the United Nations 
Charter. Their efforts also led to the establishment of the United 
Nations Commission on the Status of Women. This Commission continues to 
be a principal global policy-making body for women's advancement.
  Let us finally grant Alice Paul her rightful place in history. She is 
most deserving of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Her legacy opened 
the door for women's full participation in society and for that, we are 
forever grateful.
  Mr. BACA. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Baca) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 406, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________