[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 15, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING INDIANA WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE CENTENNIAL
Mr. YOUNG. Mr. President, I rise to formally recognize an important
event that will be occurring in my home State of Indiana this week.
On Thursday, January 16, the Indiana Women's Suffrage Centennial
Commission will be hosting a celebration at the Indiana Statehouse to
commemorate the 100th anniversary of Indiana ratifying the 19th
Amendment. Moreover, the Indiana General Assembly will present a
resolution honoring this historic milestone and the Hoosiers who led
the way to ensure equal representation for women in their government.
As we celebrate the anniversary, it is important we acknowledge that
the record of Hoosiers seeking equal voting rights for women goes back
to the 1850s, when Amanda Way, a Winchester native, organized the
Indiana Woman's Rights Association and called for its first convention.
This act of passionate leadership was just the beginning of a
generation-spanning story of determination, sacrifice, and advocacy.
Countless women and men followed in Amanda's footsteps and continued to
campaign for the betterment of their society and government. Nearly 70
years later, these Hoosiers' tireless efforts led to Indiana becoming
the 26th State in the Union to ratify the 19th Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution, prohibiting States from denying the right to vote on the
basis of sex.
The centennial of women's suffrage is an opportunity to highlight
Indiana's leadership in uniting communities, tearing down barriers to
better relationships, and promoting representative governance. On
behalf of all Hoosiers, I wish Indiana continued success as it
commemorates and recognizes a proud history of supporting equality and
constitutional freedom.
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