[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Pages 5076-5077]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



NATIONAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH--RECOGNIZING PROMINENT WOMEN OF ARKANSAS

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, as we celebrate the remaining days of 
National Women's History Month, I want to call attention to several 
extraordinary women from my home state of Arkansas who have devoted 
their lives to improving our communities and lending a hand to those in 
need.
  But before I talk about them individually, I first want to say a few 
words about a woman who is special not only to many generations of 
Arkansans but to the members of this body. That woman is Hattie 
Caraway.
  In 1932, Hattie Caraway of Arkansas became the first woman ever 
elected to the United States Senate after winning a special election to 
fill the remaining months of her husband's term. Arkansans elected 
Hattie Caraway to the Senate two more times, and she served in the U.S. 
Senate until January, 1945.
  Senator Caraway became the first woman to chair a Senate Committee 
and the first woman to take up the gavel on the Senate floor as the 
Senate's presiding officer. And when she finished her term, her Senate 
colleagues honored her for her service with a standing ovation on the 
Senate floor. Quite a feat for a woman back in 1945 especially since 
women had just won the right to vote only 25 years earlier!
  There is no doubt that Hattie Caraway's service in the Senate paved 
the way for women seeking elective office. Thirty-one women have 
followed Hattie Caraway to the Senate, and today, a record high of 13 
women are serving in the Senate at the same time. Combined with the 59 
women in the U.S. House of Representatives, a record total of 72 women 
serve in the U.S. Congress today.
  Another woman who is paving the way for women in politics in Arkansas 
is County Judge LaVerne Grayson. Judge Grayson last November became the 
first female county judge to serve Boone County, Arkansas.
  Before attaining her judgeship, Judge Grayson was a nurse and Public 
Health Investigator Supervisor at the Arkansas Department of Health who 
helped establish one of the first AIDS programs in northwest Arkansas. 
She was also an active community leader, serving with the American Red 
Cross, the LPN Advisory Board, the Salvation Army, and the North 
Arkansas College Board of Trustees. Judge Grayson is revered for her 
talents and her ability to balance her time effectively between a busy 
career and family, something which all working mothers aspire to do.
  Other female leaders in Arkansas government have taken their talents 
to universities. Dr. Jane Gates of Jonesboro, who was a member 
Jonesboro Civil Service Commission, is now a Professor at Arkansas 
State University. Through her classes on public policy and government, 
Dr. Gates draws on her experience in government to encourage young 
women and men to seek public office.
  That brings me to another woman who is making a difference in 
education. Dr. Trudie Reed, who is the President of Philander Smith 
College in Little Rock, has effectively promoted the contributions of 
African-Americans and has spearheaded a successful capital campaign 
drive to increase the college's endowment. Under Dr. Reed's leadership, 
the historically-black college has grown to be one of the best 
educational institutions in Central Arkansas. Over the past year, the 
college has received over $18 million dollars from various foundations 
and donors. With the money, the college will build a new library and a 
new science building.
  Other women I want to mention today have made great contributions to 
their communities. Spurred by the tremendous love and joy she has 
experienced from adopting two children from Korea and Thailand, Connie 
Fails of Little Rock has reached out to many families throughout 
Arkansas and across the nation to help them adopt a child 
internationally.
  In addition to running a successful clothing boutique in Little Rock, 
Connie works in her spare time as an international adoption escort, 
traveling to foreign countries and escorting adoptive children to new 
homes all across the United States. She has also served as the private 
sector representative to the White House for the Hague Convention. 
Connie has helped many children, particularly disabled children from 
disadvantaged countries, find safe, permanent, and loving homes.
  Another woman who has reached out to help her community is Donna 
Holmes of El Dorado. For the past two years, Donna has been the 
Chairman of Interfaith Help Services, which is a

[[Page 5077]]

seven-member church collaborative effort that provides financial 
assistance to underprivileged residents in the form of medical 
assistance, dental assistance, monthly expense assistance, and a food 
pantry.
  I recently nominated Donna for the Mitsubishi Motors Unsung Heroine 
Award, which honors women who have gone beyond the call of duty to 
serve those in need. Mitsubishi has donated $5,000 to Interfaith Help 
Services, and PBS will produce a documentary about Donna this spring. I 
am so proud and grateful for Donna's incredible efforts. Under her 
leadership, Interfaith Help Services has helped over 6,900 single 
parents, children, and families since 1991.
  As we recognize the great accomplishments women have made over the 
centuries, it is with great respect and admiration that I pay personal 
tribute to the women of Arkansas today. Their achievements in the areas 
of government, education, and community service have made them 
outstanding local role models for young women and girls who aspire to 
make positive differences in their communities.
  As the youngest woman to ever serve in the U.S. Senate, I share their 
desire to make our nation a better place for our children. I am humbled 
by and thankful for their work and am glad to have the opportunity to 
recognize them today.

                          ____________________