[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 10105-10106]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               HEARTFELT APPRECIATION AND THANKS TO MANY

  (Ms. WATSON of California asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. WATSON of California. Mr. Speaker, distinguished Members of 
Congress, I stand today in the well of this most distinguished Chamber 
with both pride and humility as the newly elected representative of the 
32nd Congressional District of California.
  First, I wish to thank the constituents of my district for entrusting 
me with the responsibility of serving as their representative in this 
august body. I would like to thank my family and friends for their 
dedication and support, and I am delighted you are here with me today 
to share in this auspicious occasion. I would also like to thank my 
mother, who is 91 years young. With her valuable guidance and love, I 
stand here before you today. To my remaining family and friends and 
colleagues, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. To my political 
mentors and spiritual counselors, I too thank you.
  As I begin this new chapter of my life, I cannot help but recall the 
days of my youth where, as a young student at Foshay Junior High 
School, I envisioned a career as a professional woman carrying a 
briefcase. But I never dreamed I would be the first African American 
woman elected to the Los Angeles School Board and the first African 
American woman elected to the California State Senate, where I served 
for 20 years.

                              {time}  1115

  I was further privileged to serve as a United States Ambassador to 
the Federated States of Micronesia under President William Clinton.
  But through all these incredible endeavors, I never dreamed that this 
walk would direct me in the footsteps of my dear friend, the late 
esteemed Julian Dixon.

[[Page 10106]]

  As my Congressman, Julian was both admired and respected. He was 
respected by his constituents, by his colleagues, and mostly by myself. 
As public servants for our communities, we worked together to bring 
resources back to the people of the 32nd Congressional District. We 
both approached our duties with the zealousness and dedication expected 
of us today by those who we so diligently served.
  Now, I have been given the supreme honor to carry on and add to 
Julian's legacy, and address those issues deemed important to our 
community: solvency of the Social Security Trust Fund, affordable 
prescription drugs, significant meaningful education reform for our 
children. These are the issues on which I ran, and these are the issues 
that my constituents asked me to champion as their representative in 
Congress.
  I am sure today that Julian smiles upon all of us because his legacy 
indeed will live on. I thank him for his distinguished years of 
service, and thank him, too, for his dedication as a champion of the 
people. I thank him most of all for his lifetime friendship.
  I commit myself today to reach the highest standards of public 
service. I will strive to be a Representative who will serve her 
district by engaging in relevant policy debates and providing strong 
constituent services. To Mr. Dixon and to the constituents of the 32nd 
Congressional District I pledge my commitment and my dedication to the 
greater good.
  Finally, I shall take my place with honor in this most prestigious 
body in the gentleman's memory, and I would like to rise to the level 
of respect that he carried with him.
  The great State of California stands as a shining example of the 
diversity that makes this Nation so great. In light of the recent 
consensus results, California is now a minority majority State. Our 
Democratic delegation reflects the parity that is synonymous with 
diversity. Upon this, my swearing in, as was mentioned, I became the 
16th woman, along with 16 men, that make up our delegation. We have 
finally reached parity, and act as a model for the rest of this 
country.
  Despite the many obstructions that face California, including our 
current energy crisis, we possess the ability to be creative and apply 
practical solutions that work to benefit our State, our Nation, and 
today's global economy. I look forward to joining all of my colleagues 
as we tackle these problems.
  I stand today with the Democrats and the Republicans and the 
Independents. I stand with my colleagues in the California delegation. 
I stand with the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Women's 
Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and challenge all of us to 
work together towards the greater good of this country, and 
particularly, our State. Let history judge us not by laws that we pass 
in these great Chambers, but by the civility with which we pass them. 
Our best days are yet to come.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, my friends, and supporters for 
being here with me to have this great honor bestowed upon me. I cannot 
ever repay them for their support, their commitment, and their 
dedication.

                          ____________________