[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H1051]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

  (Ms. FRANKEL of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. Speaker, in honor of Women's History 
Month, I want to recognize a remarkable woman from south Florida, my 
friend, Rosemary Barkett.
  Rosemary is an inspiring, humble woman with a joyous spirit and 
passion for justice who has devoted her life to service. Her story 
reflects the greatness of diversity in our country.
  She was born in Mexico to Syrian immigrants. At age 6, her family 
moved to Miami, where she started school knowing no English. As a teen, 
Rosemary joined the Sisters of St. Joseph, becoming a nun and teacher.
  Eight years later she left the convent to pursue her own education 
and eventually went on to law school, private practice, and a brilliant 
judicial career as a trial court judge, appellate judge, first woman on 
the Florida Supreme Court, and first woman to be Chief Justice of that 
court.
  Today Justice Barkett sits on the prestigious Iran-United States 
Claims Tribunal in The Hague.
  My friend has broken down many barriers to achieve big dreams. This 
March we honor women like Rosemary Barkett, women of our past, present, 
and future who are making history.

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