[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 40 (Wednesday, March 8, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY AND CELEBRATING THE IMPORTANCE 
          AND IMPACT OF WOMEN ON AMERICAN SOCIETY AND ECONOMY

                                  _____
                                 

                            HON. PAUL TONKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2017

  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the occasion of 
International Women's Day. You may also notice that I am wearing red, a 
symbol of solidarity with the A Day Without Women campaign. This is an 
important occasion for us to recognize the economic power and impact 
that women have in our economy and in our lives.
  It is long past time that we as a nation provide for fairness in the 
workplace by ensuring equal pay for equal work, defend the right to 
choose, end violence against women, secure access to affordable 
childcare and healthcare for working families, and strengthen paid 
family leave.
  I was proud to march with thousands of my constituents and millions 
of women all across the country during the Women's March. We showed 
that we are united and that together we will stand up for one another 
and speak out for anyone being trampled over, run through or pushed 
aside. Women are not objects to be owned, objectified or treated as 
second class citizens. Women's rights are human rights and human rights 
are women's rights.
  The Women's March was an important moment to secure our rights to 
speak and be heard. Today, on International Women's Day, as many 
observe the Day Without a Woman Strike, remember that women's voices 
are the voices of our coworkers, our mothers, sisters, daughters, 
leaders, community members, consumers, and major economic players.
  I stand with the many women today taking part in the Day Without a 
Woman strike, and the millions more in New York State and throughout 
the nation who share these values.

                          ____________________