[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 45 (Tuesday, March 22, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H1536-H1542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Grothman). Under the Speaker's announced 
policy of January 6, 2015, the gentleman from New York (Mr. Zeldin) is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.


                             General Leave

  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this 
Special Order.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, in 1981, we started a national celebration 
in the United States honoring women. Congress passed legislation which 
authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week of March 7, 
1928, as Women's History Week.

                              {time}  1545

  Throughout the next 5 years, Congress continued to pass joint 
resolutions designating a week in March as Women's History Week.
  In 1987, Congress passed a new statute which designated the entire 
month of March, 1987, as Women's History Month.
  Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions 
requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year 
as Women's History Month.
  Since 1985, Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama have issued a series 
of annual proclamations designating the month of March as Women's 
History Month.
  We have so many women all throughout our country and each one of our 
congressional districts who have gone above and beyond and have etched 
their place into history through their outstanding service to their 
community and their country.
  We have women who serve in our military, who are teachers in our 
classrooms, women who are first responders, artists, and 
businessowners.
  I certainly wouldn't be able to be where I am today, standing here in 
this Chamber, if not for all the women in my life, especially my two 
daughters, Mikayla and Arianna.
  There are two women who have strong New York-1 roots. One is from 
Setauket. Anna Strong was an American patriot and a member of the 
Culper Spy Ring, George Washington's military intelligence unit.
  As part of George Washington's network of spies, she literally put it 
all on the line for liberty during the American Revolution, hanging 
different garments on her clothesline as a signal to other patriots on 
the movements of the British forces throughout Long Island.
  Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was the First Lady to our 35th President, 
John F. Kennedy. Jackie O was born on the east end of Long Island in 
Southampton. In addition to her role as First Lady, she is also 
remembered for her contributions to the arts and historic preservation.
  In each one of our districts, we can personalize what Women's History 
Month means to our individual districts because etched in the history 
going back in generations there is so much sacrifice to be able to not 
only take care of their families, but to advance their communities and 
their country.
  The freedom and liberty that we cherish here in this Chamber would 
not be possible without the sacrifices of so many whom we honor 
throughout the year at different times, but it is the month of March in 
particular that we take an extra special pause to say thank you.
  Before I served in Congress, I served in the New York State Senate. 
During my time there, there were countless measures to be supported 
ensuring that women are protected and given access to opportunity, 
security, and prosperity. As one of our colleagues, Virginia Foxx, 
recently pointed out, every issue is a woman's issue.
  In 2012 and 2013, while serving in the State senate, I had the 
opportunity to

[[Page H1537]]

vote in favor of the New York State Senate's Women's Equality Agenda, 
which passed the senate in both years.
  It was a robust package of legislation to help with various 
protections, including what I am supportive of: equal pay for equal 
work.
  I also voted to create a workforce training program within the 
Department of Labor. I fought for this program because, with the 
current state of the economy, many women and their families are 
struggling.
  This program would help women to obtain higher paying jobs and give 
them access to better opportunities to provide for themselves and their 
families.
  In State houses all across this country and local governments as 
well, there are opportunities to provide more of a chance for that 
woman and her family to be able to achieve truly the American Dream.
  But sometimes government, regulations, and laws can block and prevent 
that access, access to educational opportunities, the ability to maybe 
own your own small business and grow it into something greater.
  It is our duty, whether you are serving as a village mayor or a local 
town supervisor or if you are a Member of the United States Congress, 
to seek out opportunities to best represent those for whom we are 
elected to be their voice and ensure that they are given maximum 
opportunity to succeed.
  I am pleased to be joined this afternoon by Mrs. Diane Black, who is 
an amazing, exceptional woman in her own right.
  I am sure that, at some point, there will be a Women's History Month 
Special Order in this Chamber a couple of generations from now where 
they will be talking about all of your outstanding service. You have 
not only served your district well, but have served our entire country 
well.
  I yield to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black).
  Mrs. BLACK. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my good friend, Mr. Zeldin, 
for yielding to me.
  I have been sitting here listening to the gentleman's words, and I 
will say that I am honored to have the gentleman here talking about the 
women in his life, particularly his wife and his two daughters, and 
what the future may bring for them.
  Mr. Speaker, it is often said that every issue is a woman's issue, 
and it is true. I know Representative Zeldin just made that comment.
  When we talk about tax reform for our small businesses, this directly 
impacts 30 percent of small businessowners who are women.
  When we talk about repealing ObamaCare's harmful 30-hour rule that is 
depressing hours and wages, we do so with the knowledge that the 
majority of those harmed by this rule are women.
  When we talk about preserving and protecting the American Dream for 
future generations, we do so with the hope that young girls like my two 
granddaughters would be able to live a life that they choose for 
themselves, not that someone else chooses for them.
  For me, this topic is deeply personal. I spent the first years of my 
life living in public housing, the daughter of parents with no more 
than a ninth grade education. I know how matters of poverty acutely 
impact women because I lived it.
  I came from a background where people didn't always know how to 
dream, and as a result, I was prepared to settle for a life of unfilled 
potential.
  I had started to believe that, as a young woman growing up in the 
1950s and 1960s who literally lived on the other side of the track, 
that maybe the American Dream wasn't for me.
  But, in time, Mr. Speaker, doors of opportunity were opened that 
helped me realize a plan for my life that was greater than I could ever 
imagine.
  I became the first person in my family to earn a college degree. I 
fulfilled my desire to become a registered nurse, and I became 
privileged to serve the State of Tennessee in the legislature and now 
in Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, I have traveled to far corners of the world, and I have 
seen the struggle that women endure for access to education, a 
paycheck, and for real independence.
  I am also keenly aware that only here in this country is this story 
of mine possible. Only here could someone like me go from living in the 
halls of a public housing complex to serving in the Halls of the United 
States Congress. That is why we call it the American Dream.

  On this Women's History Month, we must resolve to ensure that stories 
like mine aren't unique. The work we do here in Congress must reach 
today's young women with the truth that they have God-given gifts 
waiting to be used and that the American Dream is theirs to share in as 
well.
  I again thank Congressman Zeldin for bringing us together for this 
important conversation.
  Mr. ZELDIN. I thank Mrs. Black for her important words and again for 
all her service.
  One of the things that I will forever be inspired by with regard to 
Mrs. Black's service here in this Chamber is how much she values family 
and the strength of a strong family and the need for champions at all 
levels of government to fight on their behalf.
  I mentioned earlier my two daughters, Mikayla and Arianna, identical 
girls. They are 9\1/2\. They are finishing fourth grade. When they were 
born, they were less than a pound and a half. They were born 14\1/2\ 
weeks early.
  I was actually in Iraq in 2006, and a Red Cross message came out and 
said that my wife, Diana, went into labor and the babies weren't going 
to make it. It was a sad time. It was the 22nd week.
  The doctors at Georgetown University Hospital were amazing. Somehow 
they managed to keep my daughters alive for 3 more weeks. They were 
born in the 25th week.
  These girls went through more in their 3\1/2\ months in the hospital 
than I would ever wish upon anyone to have to experience. You learn a 
lot about prayer.
  I hope this is okay. We probably accepted prayers in about 16 
different religions during that experience. We would see these twins on 
one side of our girls, and the twins might be growing faster than ours. 
We might say to ourselves why aren't our girls growing as quickly as 
those two. But then on the other side there might be triplets, and you 
are watching parents mourn the loss of one of their triplets.
  You learn to count your blessings, understanding that it is not about 
you. It is about them. Thanks to the miracle of prayer and modern 
medicine, they were able to come home.
  They were on about a dozen medications each and heart monitors. It 
wasn't easy. They didn't hit 8 pounds until they were about 13 months 
old. But these girls were so strong. What they experienced during their 
time in the hospital was absolutely amazing to me and my wife.
  They had multiple surgeries while they were there. There was a time 
where one of my daughters went into what is call septic shock, which 
has a 80, 90 percent mortality rate. While she was in septic shock, she 
had a stroke.
  The doctors actually recommended that my wife and I discontinue 
treatment. Mikayla wasn't getting any better, but she wasn't getting 
any worse for about 24 hours, up to this point where the doctors were 
recommending that we discontinue treatment and let her go.
  We decided that, if she was going to keep fighting, we would keep 
fighting with her. We elected to do this really risky brain surgery. My 
wife and I went to her and said goodbye. We went to the waiting room 
expecting the worst and hoping for the best.
  The doctors came to us when surgery was done and said that Mikayla is 
not out of the woods yet, but things went better than expected. With a 
whole lot of fight, strength, prayer, and a lot of amazing medicine and 
expertise at that hospital, they are doing great. They are doing great.
  Now, Mikayla ended up getting some early intervention when she was 
younger. My two daughters are equals with their peers. They have caught 
up to them. Just think of how many opportunities were provided to these 
girls from the moment they went into the hospital to today to be able 
to survive and to succeed.
  Now, there are a lot of decisions that get made here in this Chamber 
that impact women, future women leaders of our country, young girls and 
boys who aren't old enough to vote.
  Yet, some of the most important consequences of the decisions made in 
this

[[Page H1538]]

Chamber impact not just the women of today, but those of tomorrow who 
don't even have a vote.
  There are women in this Chamber now. I have a few freshman colleagues 
who come to mind. And there are several women who were elected.
  Elise Stefanik is the youngest woman ever elected to Congress. She 
just turned 31 years old.
  Martha McSally is the first female fighter pilot in American military 
history. She is serving here now as a freshman. I believe a happy 
birthday is in order to her.
  I would say maybe happy 27th birthday, if you are listening. I don't 
want to get myself into trouble, but happy birthday to Martha.
  Mia Love is the first Black Republican woman, but she is Mormon and 
Haitian. She is all sorts of firsts and is inspiring so many.
  All of the three women I have just mentioned--and there are more that 
I could mention--are inspiring my daughters' generation to aim high 
because you may be a veteran, you might become a teacher, you might 
some day be an elected official or an artist or a businessowner.

                              {time}  1600

  It is good to have role models. That is why I speak about Anna 
Strong, an American patriot, who is part of that story of how our 
Nation was founded. Or, as I mentioned, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who 
was born in the First Congressional District of New York.
  The decisions that we make here in this Chamber impact that next 
generation not even old enough to vote. So when we talk about the 
economy and budgets and debts and deficits, do you know what? I am not 
as concerned about the person who is part of making that decision or 
has a voice as much as a strong passion and emotion for that young girl 
who is going to be inheriting the consequences of passing the buck off 
to people who aren't even old enough to vote.
  I spoke of my daughters, I talk about health, I talk about prayer, I 
talk about education, and the decisions that are made in this Chamber, 
in State houses, and local governments that provide opportunities for 
the business owners and the teachers while we pause on Women's History 
Month to honor those who have come before us. It is every day while we 
serve, every day that we serve, that we should pursue those 
opportunities in any way possible for anyone around now or that future 
generation.
  I am proud to say that the highest ranking Republican woman in the 
United States of America is standing right next to me. We all deeply 
admire Cathy McMorris Rodgers on so many levels for her outstanding 
leadership in this Chamber. I know that some of the women's names I 
just mentioned who now serve here, or my daughters who are looking for 
role models in life, that so many look up to you as they do Mrs. Black, 
who spoke just before you.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. 
McMorris Rodgers).
  Mrs. McMORRIS RODGERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for 
yielding. I appreciate his service and his leadership on behalf of the 
people of New York and for being an advocate to make history move 
forward for women.
  As we walk these halls of Congress, it is hard to miss the bronze and 
marble reminders of women who blazed the trail before us. We follow 
their lead, remember their struggles, and enjoy the rights and freedoms 
they have helped us secure. Perhaps the most lasting tribute we can 
make for them is through our effort to make history for the next 
generation of trailblazers.
  Friends, we are nearing the end of Women's History Month, and I have 
reflected on the words of our beloved First Lady Nancy Reagan, who 
passed away earlier this month: ``Feminism is the ability to choose 
what you want to do.'' Her words remind me just how much young girls 
need role models. They need to be able to look up to courageous women 
in every field who inspire them to dream so that they can say: She's 
cool. That's what I want to do, too.
  Women like Dr. Shelley Redinger, the Superintendent of Spokane Public 
Schools in Spokane, who has been on the forefront of significantly 
improving graduation rates. She represents the school district by 
serving on several community boards, yet still finds time to visit or 
teach a class in one of the district's 50 schools.
  Women like Dr. Patricia Butterfield, the dean of the WSU College of 
Nursing, who is recognized both in nursing and health sciences as a 
regional, national, and international scholar, and takes time to 
inspire her own students to have a sense of discovery.
  Women like Brooke Martin, a 15-year-old from eastern Washington, who 
3 years ago developed the idea for iCPooch to solve her dog's 
separation anxiety using video chat. After coming in second in a 
prestigious science competition, her invention is now sold on three 
continents.
  It is my honor to represent these inspirational women. As the second 
chairwoman of the House Republican Conference, it is a privilege to 
serve alongside my passionate, accomplished, and talented House 
Republican colleagues, who are as diverse as the regions we represent.
  Renee Ellmers and Diane Black were nurses.
  Mimi Walters was a stockbroker.
  Martha McSally was a colonel in the Air Force and the first female 
fighter pilot.
  Barbara Comstock juggled starting a family with completing law school 
before she became chief counsel of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform.
  Susan Brooks was a U.S. attorney in Indiana, prosecuting high-profile 
cases of mortgage fraud and online child exploitation.
  Virginia Foxx was the first in her family to go to college. She later 
earned a master's degree and a doctorate in education and served as 
president of a community college.
  Kay Granger was the first woman to be elected mayor of Fort Worth and 
is the first and only Republican woman elected from Texas to the House 
of Representatives.
  Marsha Blackburn was the first woman to sell books door to door for 
Southwestern Company. After working her way up in the company, Marsha 
left to build a small business of her own.
  Vicky Hartzler was raised on the farm, served in the Missouri State 
House until taking time off after adopting a baby daughter, and then 
became the second Republican woman elected to Congress from Missouri.
  Jaime Herrera Beutler is the first Hispanic in history to represent 
Washington State in the House, and her daughter is the first child to 
survive Potter's Syndrome.
  Lynn Jenkins was raised on a dairy farm, and she is a certified 
public accountant.
  Cynthia Lummis was the youngest woman elected to the Wyoming 
Legislature.
  Candice Miller served as Michigan's first female secretary of state.
  Kristi Noem left college early to help run her family's ranch after 
her father died, but later earned her bachelor's degree in 2012, while 
serving in Congress.
  Martha Roby worked at a law firm, and she is one of the first two 
women elected to Congress from Alabama.
  Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is the first Cuban American Latina elected to 
Congress.
  Ann Wagner was the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg.
  Jackie Walorski wore many hats. She was a television reporter, a 
missionary, and even the executive director of her local Humane 
Society.
  Elise Stefanik, at 30, was the youngest woman ever elected to 
Congress.
  Mia Love is the first African American Republican woman to serve in 
the House.
  Amata Radewagen is the first woman elected to serve in Congress from 
American Samoa.
  Each story is unique and incredible, and our presence in Congress is 
a reminder that all issues are women's issues.
  For women in every corner of the country, we care about achieving a 
better life for ourselves and our children.
  As Congresswoman Blackburn so aptly put it: It is a poetic 
coincidence that Mrs. Reagan passed away during this month of 
remembrance. She will go down in history as one of the most influential 
and consequential first ladies in American history, and a permanent 
fixture in our memories.
  The onus is now on us as women leaders to show girls across this 
country

[[Page H1539]]

that with hard work, they can achieve anything. No dream is too big and 
no goal too farfetched. We take seriously this responsibility to 
encourage and empower the next generation of female leaders with how we 
interact, how we present ourselves as leaders, and the policies we 
choose to pursue.
  That is why House Republicans are building an agenda to restore a 
confident America, where every American feels secure in their lives and 
in their futures. Let's focus on a bright future for every American, 
every woman, to live courageously, follow their hearts, see potential 
in others, and be risk-takers. That is where women can keep making 
history for generations to come.
  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mrs. McMorris Rodgers for being a 
strong leader, a trailblazer, and a role model to many women who serve 
here in this Chamber and to, I am sure, countless women inside of her 
district and all around this country.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Indiana (Mrs. Brooks), 
who was referenced by Mrs. McMorris Rodgers, for her role taking on 
incredible responsibility inside of our Justice Department ensuring 
that America and her community was safe. She continues her service here 
today as an important leader and voice in this Chamber.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New 
York for yielding, and I thank him for leading this Special Order. I 
want to also thank and commend him for his service to our country in 
his many years of service in the armed services.
  I rise today in honor of Women's History Month, as have those who 
have gone before me.
  One hundred years ago, the very first woman was elected to Congress. 
Her name was Representative Jeannette Rankin. She was elected by the 
people of the great State of Montana to serve in the House of 
Representatives. This was even a few years before women were given the 
right to vote in this country.
  Since then, 313 women have served in Congress as United States 
representatives, delegates, or Senators. So think about that: 100 years 
and only 313 women have been elected to represent their home districts 
and States in this country.
  I am very proud to be here with the gentlewoman from Tennessee, and 
we just heard from the gentlewoman from the State of Washington, and I 
am proud to be one of these 313 women.
  When I was elected, I joined my colleague from Indiana, Jackie 
Walorski, and we were, in fact, the first Republican women elected to 
represent the State of Indiana in 53 years. It had been 53 years since 
a representative--her name was Cecil Hardin--represented the western 
part of our State. She served in Congress for 10 years from 1949 to 
1959.
  One hundred years after Representative Rankin made history by winning 
the first congressional seat held by women, women like me are still 
making history by running and winning elected office. Today, I serve in 
the House of Representatives with 84 women. As you have just heard, we 
are as diverse as the places we represent. Yet, as I talk to my 
colleagues, we all agree on one thing: We have much more work to do. 
Even though there are a record number of women in Congress, we are 
still just 20 percent of the total.
  We are not alone, however, in that gender disparity. From Congress to 
State legislatures, to governors and mayor's offices, women represent 
about one in five elected officials. That figure has remained 
relatively consistent since the 1990s. We have plateaued.
  It is not just in Congress. That same gender disparity can be seen at 
the Emmy Awards, in the executive boardroom, and in the newsroom.
  This Women's History Month, instead of just focusing on all of the 
incredible accomplishments and achievements of the women that have come 
before us, I also want to mention for a short time about our hopes and 
our goals for the future, our dreams for what women will be able to 
accomplish in the next 100 years.
  More women are now earning college degrees--associate's, bachelor's, 
and doctoral--than men today. These women, as they graduate, are 
actually more likely than their male counterparts to have a job lined 
up. These young women are the future history makers who will work on 
the front lines to fight cancer and to find a cure to cancer. They will 
serve with dignity in this Chamber and they will serve in leadership 
levels at all levels of government. They will be the women who will 
lead in the board room, and they will be the women who will build the 
next generation of technology.
  We know that there are women coming behind us who will be making a 
difference. I look forward to future Women's History Months when we can 
talk about those women and what they have achieved.
  Again, I want to thank Mr. Zeldin for giving us the opportunity to 
talk about women, both past, present, and future.
  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mrs. Brooks for being here. 
Hopefully, for all of those young girls who come home from school and, 
as part of their routine, they are watching C-SPAN right now, looking 
for inspiration on what to do with their life--high school, college--
you try to figure out what the right path is for you and you search 
around for role models.

                              {time}  1615

  I can only imagine how many women have asked the gentlewoman: How? 
What is the path? Tell me. There really isn't one path to get to this 
Chamber or to be that teacher or that veteran; but the gentlewoman has 
pursued a path that, I am sure, inspires so many in her home district, 
and I greatly thank her for her service to our country.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. I thank the gentleman.
  I must say that, certainly, when I started my path right out of 
college, I would not have ever guessed that I would have been here in 
the United States House of Representatives. I think, when people 
approach you and ask you to consider this type of public service, I 
hope that a lot of young women look to the women who are here and see 
that we have been able to do it and that they can as well.
  It is an honor to serve with the gentleman.
  Mr. ZELDIN. I would also venture to guess, during the gentlewoman's 
time as a prosecutor in our judicial system, that there have been 
countless women whom she has seen firsthand who have searched for that 
advice on how to go through that really tough challenge in their lives 
and their feeling vulnerable or trapped but with that strength of 
character of knowing there is someone around to help them out of tough 
times.
  The gentlewoman's experiences throughout that path must give her an 
incredible perspective for those women who might, right now, be in 
abusive relationships or who have suffered something traumatic in their 
lives and don't know where to go. They feel trapped.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. I have to tell the gentleman that I think 
there have been a number of women role models in my life, women who 
have served as judges--Federal judges, State court judges--who have 
been tremendous mentors to the women of the bar. I have been an 
attorney for 30 years, and there is a sisterhood of those who practice 
law and who work to uphold the laws. We work together to try to support 
each other, not just in the courtrooms but on our professional career 
paths. They are women like Federal Judge Sarah Evans Barker, who is 
about to retire, and another Federal judge, Sue Shields, who was the 
first female judge in the State of Indiana. She was the first female 
judge at the State court level, and then she also served on the Federal 
bench as a magistrate.
  They have been strong role models and have helped us as lawyers to 
deal with our colleagues or with those we are bringing up through the 
ranks and offering that hand up as they have offered that hand up to 
me. We are, often, trying to make sure that women can overcome whatever 
obstacles they might have in continuing their career paths.
  Mr. ZELDIN. I am witnessing, firsthand, the gentlewoman's giving back 
many times over. I thank her for participating in honor of Women's 
History Month and for all she does in creating her own legacy and 
trailblazing herself, which I am sure will be spoken about for many 
years to come.
  Mrs. BROOKS of Indiana. I thank the gentleman.

[[Page H1540]]

  I only hope to make Cecil Harden's legacy proud, who served from 1949 
to 1959, as a Member who is severing in this great Chamber from the 
great State of Indiana.
  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, as Mrs. Brooks departs, I think of Cathy 
McMorris Rodgers' words in that this has been an inspiring hour. I just 
think of these three women who are standing before me and what they 
have accomplished. Gosh.
  I now yield to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black). I thank 
her for being here and for making this an important hour and important 
message on so many different levels.
  Mrs. BLACK. I thank the gentleman for yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I have the honor of recognizing someone who mentored me 
when I was back in the State senate and had the honor of serving there 
with a Lieutenant Governor who was a very fine man and who is retiring.
  I thank the gentleman for yielding in order for me to recognize him 
and to let him know how much we have appreciated his service to the 
State of Tennessee. I thank him for his mentorship to me as a young 
senator back at the State level.
  Mr. ZELDIN. I can only imagine how many stories the gentlewoman might 
have along the way of the people with whom she came in contact.
  Mr. Speaker, for me, my parents were divorced and remarried, so I 
grew up with four parents. I went through a few divorces with them. 
Now, my grandparents were married for over 71 years. If they lost 
everything--if they didn't have a home, if they didn't have any money, 
if they didn't have any friends--and if they only had each other, they 
would have been happy. They found success in life as soon as they had 
found each other.
  Before the gentlewoman leaves, I just want to let her know how much 
so many Members of this Chamber appreciate everything she does. 
Whatever it is that she has experienced or encountered in life in her 
path to get here today, she makes the most of every minute of being in 
this Chamber on behalf of keeping our families strong, and I value that 
very much.
  Mrs. BLACK. I thank the gentleman for that. I appreciate his saying 
that.
  Mr. Speaker, my family is number one in my life. I have two 
granddaughters, and I am hoping that everything that I teach them--that 
includes cooking and sewing and fishing--they will remember fondly as 
they grow into young women as well. I encourage them to be all that 
they can be, and I think, given their strong personalities that I see 
right now, we are going to see them as being leaders when they grow up 
as well.
  Mr. ZELDIN. After this hour is over, at another time, maybe the 
gentlewoman can give me advice, since I have two 9-year-old girls at 
home, as to what is in store for me in 2 or 3 years. I hear these 
vicious rumors that things might change.
  Mrs. BLACK. I will tell the gentleman, no matter what phase they go 
through, they will always be your little girls. The thing that the 
gentleman needs to do, every day, every night, every moment, is just 
let them know how much he loves them, and they will grow up to be fine 
young women.
  Mr. ZELDIN. If they ever give me a hard time, I will say that Diane 
Black told me that this was only going to be temporary.
  Mrs. BLACK. You send them to see Mama Black.
  Mr. ZELDIN. All right. Hopefully, I won't be doing that as a last 
resort. I might make that plan A.
  Mrs. BLACK. I have a feeling that the gentleman is going to be quite 
a good daddy--that he is and that he will be--as they grow through 
those difficult years, which all little girls do; so the gentleman will 
have those years. Just remember, on the other end, they will come out 
to be beautiful young women.
  Mr. ZELDIN. I thank the gentlewoman. In all seriousness, she really 
does provide inspiration for so many in how much she values a strong 
family.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to Mr. Ted Poe, who is well respected in this 
Chamber for not just his straight talk and his intellect, but as 
someone who is a fierce champion of American security and of our 
Constitution. It is obvious that he also has a soft spot in his heart 
for the importance of honoring those in our lives and in our country 
who have come before us and who serve today to make this place extra 
special.
  Mr. POE of Texas. I thank the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to be here, as the gentleman says, to 
recognize the people who have influenced our lives. Of course, we are 
talking about the women who have influenced our lives to help us be 
what we turned out to be. I want to talk specifically about some Texas 
women whom I consider to be a rare breed. They are tenacious, strong-
willed, nurturing, and also kind.
  One of those is my mother. I am blessed that my mom and dad are both 
alive. They are 90 years of age. My mom was a Red Cross volunteer 
during World War II. She met my dad. He was in World War II, in 
Germany, coming back to the United States. He was being re-equipped for 
the invasion of Japan. They met at a Wednesday night prayer meeting. We 
call that ``church'' in Texas. They got married, and they have been 
married now for 70 years. She not only started out as a volunteer, but 
she has done all remarkable things, including being a schoolteacher, 
raising my sister and me, and doing other wonderful things.
  In the State of Texas, we are proud, as other States are. We have 
many modern-day influential women, including former First Ladies Laura 
Bush and Barbara Bush and our late Governor, Ann Richards. These women 
were influential, powerful, and successful in their own right, but they 
were not the first of their kind. There was another generation of 
pioneers who came before them, women like my grandmother, Lady Bird 
Johnson, and Ma Ferguson, who paved the way for future generations of 
Texas women.
  My grandmother, really, was more influential in my life than were my 
own parents. She lived to the age of 99. She raised me to be in public 
service, and I always have been in public service because of her: I 
taught school; I was in the Air Force Reserves; I was a prosecutor; 
then I was a judge and a Member of Congress--all because of my 
grandmother. She taught me many lessons, and she made it very simple. 
Not only did she inspire me to be in public service--I took that good 
advice--but she said, until the day she died, that she had failed, for 
my grandmother was, as we say in the South, a Yellow Dog Democrat. She 
could not believe that I had crossed over to the other side and become 
a Republican, and I am not sure that she ever forgave me for being a 
Republican.
  She was a strong-minded, no nonsense individual. She used to always 
say, ``There is nothing more powerful than a woman who has made up her 
mind,'' and that is true. For a woman who has made up her mind, get out 
of the way. We find that true even today. That has proven to be one of 
the most valuable lessons she ever taught me.
  President Lyndon Johnson was a hard-nosed politician, but his 
contributions to Texas as President were really surpassed, in my 
opinion, by his dogged First Lady or, as we called her, Lady Bird 
Johnson. She was one of the finest Southern and politically astute 
women we have ever had in the State of Texas. While she is best 
remembered for her love of the environment and the preservation of our 
natural resources, she was no wallflower in the business and political 
world either. She was her husband's strongest supporter and was with 
him, giving advice, step for step, throughout his entire career while, 
at the same time, carving out a path for herself in the business world. 
She turned a debt-ridden Austin radio station into a multimillion-
dollar broadcast empire. Her resume reads like that of a superwoman.
  Among her many achievements, she played a pivotal part in shaping 
legislation by lobbying and speaking before Congress in support of the 
highway beautification bill, better known as Lady Bird's Bill. She 
oversaw every detail in the creation of the Presidential library, which 
became a model for other Presidential libraries today. Of course, she 
served faithfully, and often in awe of her colleagues, as a regent of 
her alma mater, the University of Texas.
  Every spring--this time of the year--people head up from Houston to 
Austin on Highway 290. They see the wildflowers, and there are 
bazillions of them everywhere at this time of the year. Every 
bluebonnet we see throughout Texas Hill Country and every tree

[[Page H1541]]

we plant here at home, along a place called Will Clayton Parkway, is a 
tribute to Lady Bird Johnson and her determination that we are going to 
keep Texas beautiful.
  Before there was a Lady Bird, Texas was home to another fiery, 
inspirational woman. You may have never heard about her. Her name was 
Ma Ferguson. The year was 1899--over 100 years ago--when Miriam Amanda 
Wallace married James Ferguson, who later became the Governor of Texas. 
Ma Ferguson served as the first lady of Texas from 1915 until 1917, 
which was about 2\1/2\ years, until Pa Ferguson got himself in a little 
trouble. He was impeached by the State of Texas and the legislature 
during his second term and was barred from ever running for office 
anywhere again.
  Then Ma changed history. She did the unthinkable and ran for Governor 
of Texas--as a woman. Texas had only been run by men before, but Ma 
didn't care--she was going to run. She ran on a platform of two 
Governors for the election of one. Of course, Ma was not in prison like 
Pa was, but, apparently, they did work together. She ran against Klan-
supported Felix Robertson in the Democratic primary and claimed victory 
with the Democratic nomination. Back in those days, there were no 
Republicans in Texas. Everybody was a Democrat. The handful of 
Republicans never admitted it. Winning the Democrat primary was 
tantamount to winning the general election in November. Ma later became 
the first female Governor of Texas and only the second female Governor 
of the whole United States. She defeated a little known candidate in 
1924 called George Butte, a Republican.
  The two Fergusons became known as ``Ma and Pa,'' and--no surprise--Ma 
ran the show. However, Ma's Governorship was tainted by the criticism 
of her loose policy of pardoning people in the penitentiary. She was 
not above her critics--she pardoned thousands of inmates during her 
Governorship. To many, the motive behind the pardons was a little 
questionable, and allegations of bribery, ultimately, led to her next 
Governor's race and its defeat. After she lost the next election, Ma 
continued her political fight, and she regained her Governor's seat in 
1932--again, for a second term.

                              {time}  1630

  One of her best achievements was the signing of Texas House Bill 194. 
It established the University of Houston as a 4-year institution.
  Now, Mr. Speaker, I went to the University of Houston Law School. I 
am glad it got established. Ma would be proud to see the University of 
Houston today. The Ferguson name lived long after the retirement of 
both Ma and Pa.
  My grandmother, Lady Bird Johnson, Ma Ferguson, Ann Richards, and the 
Bush women came from a generation of women that were strong and 
influential. They possessed the grace of an angel, yet led with both 
forceful and effective political genius.
  Few women of their later generation worked outside of the home, but 
few men succeeded without the backing of those ladies. These women did 
it all. They effortlessly backed their husbands while changing the 
world all at the same time.
  March, this month, is Women's History Month. So it is time we honor 
those women who lived years and years ago, honor those women who lived 
back during the Greatest Generation's time and, of course, the women 
who live today.
  All those women now are in every profession, as stated earlier, 
including the legal profession, acting as judges and prosecutors and, 
not only that, Members of Congress, Members of Cabinets, and ladies 
that give a lot of their time and money to the community. So we are 
thankful for them.
  I appreciate the time that the gentleman from New York has given me 
so we could talk about some of these iron-willed, strong-willed women 
that have made up their minds.
  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Texas.
  I would imagine anyone who was wondering what Women's History Month 
was all about should just listen to your remarks as you pay exceptional 
tribute to some amazing women from your home State of Texas who all 
left a mark not only in your life, but in others' lives as well.
  These are women who, I am sure, are getting celebrated all throughout 
your State and this country not just by you, but by others as well.
  In my home State of New York, it is tough. They give us a month and 
here tonight they give us an hour. There really are so many different 
women who gave us this opportunity to take us to today where the two of 
us can stand here on this particular House floor and speak to each 
other about such an important topic that apparently 25 years ago didn't 
even happen. It wasn't even until the early 1980s that we even started 
recognizing a women's history week.
  So here we are, and I am glad that you are part of it. I can see that 
there is a lot of inspiration from women in your life.
  I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York.
  I agree with him. A month is really not enough time to celebrate and 
honor women in our history that just made a big difference in a lot of 
people's lives.
  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, there are a lot of people here in this 
Chamber who all find different issues that interest them that they 
focus heavily on and move the ball forward in a very positive way.
  The one thing that I have experienced during my time serving here--
and I am in my first term and serve on the House Foreign Affairs 
Committee--is that, as the subcommittee chairman of the Terrorism, 
Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee, what I have experienced is 
that you do a lot to keep America safe, to keep the women and men of 
your district and this country safe.
  So I really do appreciate your service. Because this is not just 
about reflecting on service in the past, but challenging ourselves to 
do even more and to provide more opportunity forward.
  I yield to the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Tennessee 
(Mrs. Black), who has a very special guest here she would like to 
recognize.


                     Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey

  Mrs. BLACK. Mr. Speaker, I recognize Tennessee's Lieutenant Governor 
Ron Ramsey, who is going to be retiring after his years of service.
  Today I rise to honor my friend, Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey, on 
his upcoming retirement from the Tennessee State Senate. It is not an 
exaggeration to say that Lieutenant Governor Ramsey changed Tennessee 
history. He was, after all, our first Republican Lieutenant Governor in 
over 140 years.
  His legacy will be one of preserving that which makes Tennessee 
special: our low tax burden, our commitment to fiscal responsibility, 
and our tradition of defending life.
  It was among one of the great honors of my professional career to 
serve as chairman of the State Republican Caucus under his leadership 
and to partner with him as we laid the groundwork for the conservative 
supermajority that we enjoy today in Tennessee.
  I will never forget being in the Senate Chamber the moment that 
Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey was elected. He came to the well of the 
Senate floor and, before doing anything else, paid honor to God, 
telling all of us in the room and everyone else watching that it is to 
Him we owe our very being.
  He then thanked his family, including his wife, Sindy, who has served 
Tennessee with distinction as our Second Lady for nearly a decade.
  In that moment, Lieutenant Governor Ramsey reminded all of us of his 
priorities. He loves our State. He loves public service. But as anyone 
who knows him can attest, his faith and his family are of the greatest 
importance. I will always be thankful to him for setting that example.
  Mr. Speaker, it should be noted that Lieutenant Governor Ramsey arose 
to his post in the State leadership shortly after a dark time in 
Tennessee history, which saw the very public failings of legislators on 
both sides of the aisle.
  He was an example of character and personal integrity at that moment 
when we needed it the most and, in time, he made us believe that 
government could do right by its people. Lieutenant Governor Ramsey 
often reminded us, ``It matters who governs.'' Indeed, it does.

[[Page H1542]]

  As we reflect on where Tennessee has come from and where we are 
headed, we can say with certainty that our State is stronger because of 
Ron Ramsey's leadership. I count it a privilege to call him my friend.
  I wish him, his wife Sindy, and his beautiful family all the best in 
this next chapter of their lives.
  Mr. ZELDIN. Mr. Speaker, as we come toward the end of our hour 
remembering and celebrating the women who have come before us and who 
serve today, trying their hardest to create more opportunities going 
forward, I would like to mention eight young ladies from the First 
Congressional District of New York who I was proud to nominate to 
service academies this year:
  Taya Coniglio, Skylar Grathwohl, and Gabriella Franco were nominated 
to the U.S. Naval Academy.
  Ally McFayden and Dana Fasano were nominated to the U.S. Merchant 
Marine Academy.

  Chelsea Chamberlin, Isabella Cortes, and Emma Fasolino were nominated 
to the U.S. Military Academy.
  These eight young ladies have stepped up wanting to raise their hand 
to defend our country. Going off to a service academy comes with an 
obligation to wear that uniform and serve on Active Duty afterwards.
  For anyone who signs up post-9/11, you understand what it is that you 
are signing up for. To just think that these young ladies were 2, 3 
years old on September 11, 2001, all that they know is the post-9/11 
America and world. Yet, they are signing up to want to serve our 
country as officers.
  There are over 2 million women veterans. So as we consider 
legislation in this House, I cosponsored H.R. 1356, the Women Veterans 
Access to Quality Care Act, which assists our women veterans.
  While we try to provide more access to health care for our women 
veterans, there are many opportunities available to us that still have 
not yet been achieved and pursued to victory.
  Women make up 15 percent of the U.S. military's Active-Duty personnel 
and 18 percent of the National Guard and Reserve forces.
  H.R. 1356 will improve VA facilities for women veterans, hold VA 
medical facility directors accountable for performance measures, ensure 
the availability of OB/GYN services in VA medical centers, and calls 
for a GAO study on the VA's ability to meet the needs of women 
veterans.
  Whether it is the eight young ladies I mentioned who wanted to go to 
U.S. service academies or those who are currently, as we stand here, 
over in harm's way in the Middle East and elsewhere, away from their 
families and who have sons and daughters here at home--and they may not 
just be on their first deployment. They may be on their fourth or fifth 
or sixth deployment.
  When they come home, whether they come home in one piece, whether 
they come home with the physical or mental wounds of war, whether they 
need assistance pursuing educational or vocational opportunities, I 
want to thank our women veterans for their service to our Nation.
  We honor all women during this hour, but I wanted to close by paying 
an extra special tribute and thank you to our women veterans and, once 
again, to all of the women in my life.
  I yield back the balance of my time.

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