[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 42 (Thursday, March 12, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S1494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO PHYLLIS SCHLAFLY

 Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, a beloved American icon recently 
celebrated her 90th birthday. For more than one-half century, Phyllis 
Schlafly has been a leading voice in defense of our Constitution, our 
values, and our way of life. Fearlessly, tirelessly, Phyllis has 
championed the American family and American values. As a speaker, 
author, activist, and radio commentator, Phyllis has inspired and 
mobilized generations of conservatives.
  Her 1964 book, ``A Choice Not an Echo,'' took direct aim at the 
establishment class and helped pave the way for Goldwater and Reagan. 
Her advocacy presaged many of the political challenges we face today in 
ensuring that the voiceless have a voice and that the everyday worker, 
mother, father, and citizen is not drowned out by special interests. As 
one profile noted, Phyllis ``continues comforting the afflicted 
conservative, afflicting the comfortable Republican.''
  I remember well reading ``A Choice Not an Echo'' while in high school 
and her arguments helped shape my political philosophy as it shaped the 
philosophy of many others. I also remember attending her speech at the 
University of Alabama dealing with the national defense issues she 
wrote about while I was in law school. Dynamic, smart, beautiful, and 
articulate, she played an important role in establishing a sound 
conservative philosophy.
  An unrelenting critic of big government, Phyllis has spoken out time 
and again on the need for the family--not the bureaucracy--to form the 
center of American life. She has explained that we cannot strengthen 
our financial system without also strengthening our families and our 
communities. She knows that no nation can be better than the people who 
make it up and that families, communities, and churches are vital to 
developing good people.
  The values Phyllis embodies are not merely traditional but enduring--
just as she is. Enduring values are a national compass, a guide for all 
times--always pointing true north in even the stormiest weather.
  Congratulations to Phyllis on her remarkable 90th year and her even 
more remarkable life.

                          ____________________