[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 144 (Thursday, September 22, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            PHYLLIS SCHLAFLY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY J. PALMER

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 22, 2016

  Mr. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, with the passing of Phyllis Schlafly America 
lost one of its greatest women leaders. I first met Phyllis around 1990 
shortly after I began work with the Alabama Family Alliance, which 
later became the Alabama Policy Institute. I was tremendously impressed 
with her intellect and clarity on American culture and politics.
  She ranks with William F. Buckley as one of the intellectual giants 
who helped launch the modern conservative movement. Phyllis had the 
clarity of thought and the communication skills of Reagan that gave her 
the ability to connect with women and men from all walks of life. In 
many respects, she was America's version of Margaret Thatcher. Her 
self-published book, ``A Choice, Not An Echo,'' had an enormous impact 
on the 1964 Republican Convention that resulted in Barry Goldwater 
winning the party's nomination for president. That book eventually sold 
over 3 million copies and launched her nationally as one of the most 
influential conservatives in American history. Mrs. Schlafly was a 
prolific writer with 18 more books, as well as a gifted speaker.
  In 1972 Phyllis founded Eagle Forum and successfully led the effort 
to prevent the ratification of the so-called Equal Rights Amendment. 
The Ladies Home Journal ranked her among the 100 most influential women 
of the 20th Century. Frankly, she should be ranked among the 100 most 
influential leaders of the 20th Century regardless of gender. I am 
proud to have had the opportunity to know her and work with her and her 
colleagues at Eagle Forum. Phyllis Schlafly lived by her faith and 
values to the very end and left a great legacy as an American leader 
for all Americans.

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