[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 162 (Tuesday, November 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2691-E2692]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING NEW HAMPSHIRE STATE SENATE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. PAUL W. HODES

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, November 2, 2009

  Mr. HODES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the legislation I 
introduced, House Resolution 159. My resolution honors the New 
Hampshire State Senate for becoming the first statewide legislative 
body with a majority of women in the United States. New Hampshire has a 
proud tradition of being a first-in-the-nation State, and with this 
historic achievement, the Granite State continues to lead the way in 
providing equal opportunity for everyone. I am proud to represent the 
great State of New Hampshire, which today shines as an example for the 
entire country.
  I want to recognize all 13 women who are currently serving in the New 
Hampshire State Senate. They are the Honorable Sharon Carson, Jacalyn 
Cilley, Martha Fuller Clark, Betsi DeVries, Peggy Gilmour, Margaret 
Hassan, Molly Kelly, Sylvia Larsen, Bette Lasky, Amanda Merrill, 
Deborah Reynolds, Sheila Roberge, and Kathleen Sgambati. These leaders 
comprise the majority female body of the New Hampshire State Senate and 
were elected to office on November 4, 2008, and sworn in on December 3, 
2008.
  I would also like to recognize the following women, who played 
critical roles in the history of New Hampshire government:

[[Page E2692]]

  Senator Jeanne Shaheen was the first woman in the State of New 
Hampshire to be elected Governor in 1997. She is currently serving as 
the first female senator from the State of New Hampshire.
  The first woman to serve as a member of the New Hampshire State 
Senate was E. Maude Ferguson, who served from 1931 to 1933.
  Vesta Roy served as the first female State Senate President, and in 
1983 she became the first female Governor of the State of New 
Hampshire.
  In 1994, the Honorable Sylvia Larsen was elected to the New Hampshire 
State Senate and has served 7 consecutive terms thus far. She is 
currently serving in her second term as President of the New Hampshire 
Senate.
  In 1996, the Honorable Terie Norelli was elected to the New Hampshire 
House of Representatives and has served 6 consecutive terms thus far, 
and in 2008 was re-elected to serve as Speaker of the New Hampshire 
House of Representatives for a 2nd consecutive term.
  Thank you for bringing this important resolution on the New Hampshire 
State Senate's historic achievement of being the first statewide 
legislative body with a majority of women in the United States to the 
floor of the House of Representatives for consideration. I urge my 
colleagues to support this resolution.

                          ____________________