[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 39 (Thursday, March 5, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H2983]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       TAPPING INTO THE POTENTIAL OF FUTURE GENERATIONS OF WOMEN

  (Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, in 1987 the United 
States Congress officially designated March as Women's History Month in 
an effort to not only increase public knowledge of women's history, but 
also to raise the public consciousness of the impact that women have on 
our country.
  Over the last century, we have made considerable progress. However, 
our work to ensure that women have equal rights and protection from 
assault and abuse are not over. Today, women continue to bring home 
smaller paychecks than men do for doing the same job. However, I am 
proud that this Congress passed and President Obama recently signed the 
Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 to help end pay discrimination 
against women.
  Currently, there are an estimated 198,000 women serving on active 
duty in our military, and still we are unable to provide them with a 
safe environment, free of sexual assault and violence. In addition, 
approximately 800,000 individuals are trafficked across international 
borders each year, and, sadly, 80 percent of those are women and girls.
  While we recognize the progress we have made, we must not be 
complacent, but instead work together to tap into the potential of 
future generations of women.

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