[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 2 (Friday, January 4, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E16]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF H. RES. XX, EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE HOUSE OF 
  REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE SENATE SHOULD RATIFY THE CONVENTION ON THE 
    ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN (CEDAW)

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                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 4, 2013

  Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
introduce the sense of the House of Representatives that the Senate 
should ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of 
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). I am proud to be joined in this 
effort by my friend and colleague Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. 
  This bipartisan House Resolution urges the Senate to vote to ratify 
CEDAW, a landmark international agreement that mandates governments to 
take positive steps to ensure the full development and advancement of 
women, and their equal enjoyment of human rights, and that they change 
or eradicate discriminatory laws, customs, and practices.
  Despite 187 countries ratifying CEDAW, we are the only western 
country in the world that has not ratified the treaty, although its 
fundamental principles of equality and nondiscrimination are central to 
our constitutions. Other nations that have not ratified CEDAW include 
Somalia and Iran.
  Most importantly, CEDAW is non-self executing, meaning that any 
legislation the United States might adopt to comply with the treaty 
would have to go through the normal congressional process.
  Ratification of CEDAW would continue our nation's proud bipartisan 
tradition of promoting and protecting human rights. The Senate's 
ratification of CEDAW would strengthen our standing as a global leader 
for the rights of women and girls.

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