[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Pages 23589-23590]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING THE DC COMMISSION FOR WOMEN

  Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I rise to reflect on the contributions 
that the DC Commission for Women has made to the lives of the 
disenfranchised in our Nation's Capital. Of particular note has been 
the commission's focus on homeless women and children who are often 
forgotten and neglected in the District of Columbia.
  I am particularly pleased that the commission will serve as a partner 
in the ``big read'' program, sponsored by the national endowment for 
the arts. This program provides books for low-income ``at-risk'' 
children. The DC Commission for Women is also a national model for 
educating the public on domestic violence prevention and women's health 
and safety issues.
  My remarks are coming on the eve of Mayor Anthony Williams' 
transition from pubic service into private life. It is befitting that 
the commission is paying tribute to Mayor Williams' mother, Virginia E. 
Hayes Williams, a member of the commission and a strong advocate for 
children and women. It is not coincidental that the tribute will be 
held at the Saint Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church for Mrs. 
Williams, like Constantine the Great's mother, Helen, advised her son 
on religion and affairs of the state.
  I would also like to acknowledge the commission's chair, Dr. 
Christine M. Warnke, whose leadership has brought international 
resources and visibility to the commission. She has expanded the 
commission's programs and forged global partnerships which promote 
religious and cultural tolerance.
  As we move into the 110th Congress, I look forward to working with 
the Commission for Women on these important issues.

[[Page 23590]]



                          ____________________