[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 11, 2009)]
[House]
[Pages H3318-H3319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, earlier this month, men, women and children 
came together to celebrate International Women's Day. Since 1909, 
government civic groups and local communities have taken time to 
reflect on the role of women and the unique challenges that we face.
  This year, the women of Iraq find themselves still facing hard odds, 
great odds, even with the decline in violence. Many women still are 
displaced from their homes, from their employment, and their 
communities. Their children still lack the basic necessities of clean 
water, electricity, health care, and access to education. Every day is 
an act of heroism for those women.
  All too often, the role of women is ignored or undervalued. 
Fortunately, our new Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, has 
placed a high priority on women's participation at all levels of 
decision-making. The Secretary has selected eight outstanding women to 
be honored as recipients of the International Women of Courage Award. 
This is the only award within the Department of State that pays tribute 
to outstanding women leaders worldwide. It recognizes the courage and 
leadership shown as they struggle for social justice and for human 
rights.
  One of these women is an exceptional Iraqi woman, Suaad Allami. Ms. 
Allami is a prominent lawyer who fights against the erosion of women's 
rights and defends the most disadvantaged. She founded the NGO Women 
for Progress and the Sadr City Women's Center, which offers free 
medical care, literacy education, vocational training, and legislative 
advocacy. Few of us, Mr. Speaker, can imagine the indescribable 
challenges of women in her position.
  U.S. diplomatic and military officials have lauded her for many 
things, including her bravery. And they always point to her work 
outside the Green Zone. The State Department actually pointed to one 
shining example of her work: When Ms. Allami learned about the extent 
of alleged human rights abuses at Kadhamiya Women's Prison, she boldly 
conducted an unannounced

[[Page H3319]]

inspection, CNN crew in tow, without regard for the potential for 
backlash against herself. The Minister for Human Rights shut the prison 
down 2 months later.
  I am pleased that the State Department and Secretary Clinton singled 
out Ms. Allami for her work. My only wish is that more women, whose 
bravery occurs every single day, hour by hour, through their acts of 
courage and just living in Iraq, would receive the same recognition.
  The women of Iraq have shown amazing strength and courage. I hope 
that with the redeployment of our troops and military contractors, all 
Iraqis will have the hope and security of a prosperous new future.

                          ____________________