[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 175 (Friday, October 9, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE LATE JUSTICE RUTH BADER GINSBURG

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAUREN UNDERWOOD

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 9, 2020

  Ms. UNDERWOOD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life of a 
woman who represented the best of our country: Justice Ruth Bader 
Ginsburg.
  It is difficult to overstate the impact of her rulings and legal 
victories on the lives of American women, but today I want to highlight 
what she accomplished simply with her presence.
  As the first woman to represent my district, I often think of the 
famous incident when the Dean of Harvard Law School asked Justice 
Ginsburg and the other women in her class, ``Why are you here occupying 
a seat that could be held by a man?''
  I know I am not the only woman in this chamber who has been called 
upon to defend my right to represent my community or even take up space 
in a room.
  For a small person, Justice Ginsburg took up a lot of space.
  Her life and work testify that women belong in the classroom, on the 
bench, in Congress, and ``in all places where decisions are being 
made.''
  I intend to honor her memory by continuing to take up space, and I 
encourage every woman and girl in America to do the same.

                          ____________________