[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[House]
[Pages 5421-5426]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           SUPPORTING THE GOALS OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 149) supporting the goals of International 
Women's Day.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              H. Res. 149

       Whereas there are over 3,000,000,000 women in the world, 
     representing 51 percent of the world's population;
       Whereas women continue to play the prominent role in caring 
     for families within the home as well as serving as economic 
     earners;
       Whereas women worldwide are participating in the world of 
     diplomacy and politics, contributing to the growth of 
     economies, and improving the quality of the lives of their 
     families, communities, and nations;
       Whereas women leaders have recently made significant 
     strides, including the 2007 election of Congresswoman Nancy 
     Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House of 
     Representatives, the 2006 election of Michelle Bachelet as 
     the first female President of Chile, the 2006 election of 
     Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as the first female President in 
     Africa's history, and the 2005 election of Angela Merkel as 
     the first female Chancellor of Germany, who will also serve 
     as the second woman to chair a G8 summit beginning in 2007;
       Whereas women account for 80 percent of the world's 70 
     million micro-borrowers, 75 percent of the 28,000 United 
     States loans supporting small businesses in Afghanistan are 
     made to women, and 11 women are chief executive officers of 
     Fortune 500 companies;
       Whereas in the United States, women are graduating from 
     high school at higher rates and are earning bachelors degrees 
     or higher degrees at greater rates than men, with 88 percent 
     of women between the ages of 25 and 29 having obtained a high 
     school diploma and 31 percent of women between the ages of 25 
     and 29 earning a bachelors degree or higher;
       Whereas despite tremendous gains, women still face 
     political and economic obstacles, struggle for basic rights, 
     face the threat of discrimination, and are targets of 
     violence all over the world;
       Whereas worldwide women remain vastly underrepresented in 
     national and local assemblies, accounting on average for less 
     than 10 percent of the seats in parliament, except for in 
     East Asia where the figure is approximately 18 to 19 percent, 
     and in no developing region do women hold more than 8 percent 
     of the ministerial positions;
       Whereas women work two-thirds of the world's working hours 
     and produce half of the world's food, yet earn only 1 percent 
     of the world's income and own less than 1 percent of the 
     world's property;
       Whereas in the United States between 1995 and 2000, female 
     managers earned less than their male counterparts in the 10 
     industries that employ the vast majority of all female 
     employees;
       Whereas of the 1,300,000,000 people living in poverty 
     around the world, 70 percent are women and children;
       Whereas according to the United States Agency for 
     International Development, two-thirds of the 876,000,000 
     illiterate individuals worldwide are women, two-thirds of the 
     125,000,000 school-aged children who are not attending school 
     worldwide are girls, and girls are less likely to complete 
     school than boys;
       Whereas worldwide women account for half of all cases of 
     HIV/AIDS, approximately 42,000,000 cases, and in countries 
     with high HIV prevalence, young women are at a higher risk 
     than young men of contracting HIV;
       Whereas globally, each year over 500,000 women die during 
     childbirth and pregnancy;
       Whereas domestic violence causes more deaths and disability 
     among women between ages 15 and 44 than cancer, malaria, 
     traffic accidents, and war;
       Whereas worldwide, at least 1 out of every 3 women and 
     girls has been beaten in her lifetime;
       Whereas according to the Centers for Disease Control and 
     Prevention, at least 1 out of every 6 women and girls in the 
     United States has been sexually abused in her lifetime;
       Whereas worldwide, 130,000,000 girls and young women have 
     been subjected to female genital mutilation and it is 
     estimated that 10,000 girls are at risk of being subjected to 
     this practice in the United States;
       Whereas according to the Congressional Research Service and 
     the Department of State, illegal trafficking in women and 
     children for forced labor, domestic servitude, or sexual 
     exploitation involves between 1,000,000 and 2,000,000 women 
     and children each year, of whom 50,000 are transported into 
     the United States;
       Whereas between 75 and 80 percent of the world's 27,000,000 
     refugees are women and children;
       Whereas in times and places of conflict and war, women and 
     girls continue to be the focus of extreme violence and 
     intimidation and face tremendous obstacles to legal recourse 
     and justice;
       Whereas March 8 has become known as International Women's 
     Day for the last century, and is a day on which people, often 
     divided by ethnicity, language, culture, and income, come 
     together to celebrate a common struggle for women's equality, 
     justice, and peace; and
       Whereas the people of the United States should be 
     encouraged to participate in International Women's Day: Now 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) supports the goals of International Women's Day;
       (2) recognizes and honors the women in the United States 
     and in other countries who have fought and continue to 
     struggle for equality in the face of adversity;
       (3) reaffirms its commitment to ending discrimination and 
     violence against women and girls, to ensuring the safety and 
     welfare of women and girls, and to pursuing policies that 
     guarantee the basic human rights of women and girls both in 
     the United States and in other countries; and
       (4) encourages the President to--
       (A) reaffirm his commitment to pursue policies to protect 
     fundamental human rights and civil liberties, particularly 
     those of women and girls; and
       (B) issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the 
     United States to observe International Women's Day with 
     appropriate programs and activities.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Watson) and the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-
Lehtinen) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution, and I 
first want to thank the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky) and 
the other cosponsors of this resolution for recognizing International 
Women's Day in honor of the contributions and achievements of women all 
over the world and the importance of promoting and protecting their 
rights.
  I want to pay special tribute today to my distinguished female 
colleagues on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, who are performing 
their important responsibilities with distinction and honor. I also 
want to recognize my distinguished colleague, the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen), who has achieved the distinction of 
becoming the first woman to obtain the ranking position on this 
committee.
  Today, women all over the world are becoming leaders in science, 
medicine, the arts, politics, business, and even the military.
  Despite this progress, women and girls continue to represent the 
majority of the poor, the chronically hungry, refugees, the HIV-
infected, the sick, the uneducated and the undereducated, the 
unemployed and disenfranchised people.
  Women are also subject to specific forms of physical and structural 
violence and discrimination because of their gender. These include 
sexual violence in both conflict and nonconflict situations, sex 
trafficking, and domestic violence from their partners and family 
members.
  Cruel cultural practices targeted at women include denial of voting 
rights, freedom of movement, and property rights. Women are also 
subjected to genital mutilation, forced and early marriages, 
humiliating and harmful widow practices, bride burnings and honor 
killings. Women also continue to experience an unequal remuneration for 
work of equal value, discrimination in hiring and admission to 
educational institutions, and lack of flexibility for special needs 
such as paid and extended family leave.
  It is not enough to simply declare the equality of women, condemn 
their mistreatment, and increase the number of women in the workplace. 
We must, in all sectors of society, address the structural mechanisms 
which deny women and girls access to the same

[[Page 5422]]

rights and opportunities as boys and men.

                              {time}  1300

  We must also attack and eliminate the criminal and cultural practices 
which destroy the lives and freedom and the health of women.
  Statistics prove that when women are better off in our society, their 
children are happier, healthier and more educated, and our world is 
better off.
  I will do everything in my power to ensure that every piece of 
legislation we consider in the committee will improve the security, 
opportunity and prosperity of women, and I know my colleagues will 
share this important goal.
  In honor of our wives, our mothers, our daughters, our female 
colleagues and our Speaker, and women around the world, I am proud to 
support this resolution, and I urge all my colleagues to do the same.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I thank Ambassador Watson for her eloquent statements and as well as 
for her leadership in our Foreign Affairs Committee.
  Madam Speaker, I also rise in support of H. Res. 149, supporting the 
goals of International Women's Day. International Women's Day has 
developed into a day of recognition and celebration of the 
contributions and social advancement of women.
  I want to thank the author of this resolution, Representative 
Schakowsky of Illinois, for accepting the suggested changes that we had 
to her base text prior to the introduction and committee consideration.
  These very modest clarifications emphasize that we are seeking to 
promote for women and girls the full and equal enjoyment of those 
fundamental human rights and civil liberties that are the birthright of 
all people, regardless of gender, race or creed, not some separate of 
gender-based claims or a problematic agenda related to abortion.
  We must all advance the cause of human dignity by ending violence 
against women and girls, by protecting their fundamental freedoms and 
civil liberties, and promoting their genuine welfare through robust 
educational and economic opportunities.
  To the extent that International Women's Day serves those purposes, 
it deserves our recognition.
  I ask my colleagues to render their full support to this important 
measure
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of our time.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Illinois (Ms. Schakowsky), the author of the bill.
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding 
to me and for her great support for this measure, and I also thank 
Representative Ros-Lehtinen for her help for a long time making this 
resolution possible today.
  I do rise in support of H. Res. 149, the International Women's Day 
resolution. I want to also thank Representative Judy Biggert, who is 
the lead Republican sponsor, for her consistent support and work to 
bring this resolution to the House floor. We have introduced this 
resolution honoring women three times, and it has been a pleasure 
working with her over the years.
  Also, as the vice chair of the Women's Caucus, I am honored to have 
this resolution to be the first of our top five priority agenda items 
to make it to the House floor with such remarkable bipartisan support 
under the leadership of the chairwomen, Lois Capps and Cathy McMorris 
Rodgers. I appreciate their help.
  Each year, countries around the world mark March 8 as International 
Women's Day as a day to recognize the contributions and the impact that 
women have made to our world's history, to recognize those women who 
have worked for gender equality and to acknowledge the work that is yet 
to be done.
  Over the years, women have made significant strides. Women all over 
the world and throughout history have consistently contributed to their 
economies, participated in their governments and improved the quality 
of life of their families and their Nations.
  In 2007, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi became the first woman in the 
history of the United States to be Speaker of the House. In 2006, I 
attended the inauguration of Michelle Bachelet, the first woman 
President of Chile, and visited in Liberia its President Ellen Johnson-
Sirleaf, the first woman President in Africa's history. In the 110th 
Congress, we have an all-time high of 74 women in Congress, a 35 
percent increase from just 8 years ago. However, women still make up 
only 16 percent of the House of Representatives.
  In the United States, we have made significant strides in education. 
In fact, women now graduate from high school at higher rates and earn 
bachelor's or higher degrees at greater rates than men. While that is 
true, yet two-thirds of the 876 million illiterate individuals in the 
world are women. That is, two-thirds of them are women. Two-thirds of 
the 125 million school-aged children who are not attending school 
worldwide are girls, and girls are less likely to complete school than 
boys elsewhere around the world.
  Women are making progress in business, and women make up 11 of the 
current CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. However, more progress still 
needs to be made. While great strides have been made in business, women 
still earn less, own less and have less access to education and 
employment than men. Globally, while women work two-thirds of the 
world's working hours and produce one-half of the world's food, we 
still earn only 1 percent of the world's income and own less than 1 
percent of the world's property. Of the 300 million people living in 
poverty, 70 percent are girls and women.
  Although Congress passed the PROTECT Act, a good bipartisan bill to 
prevent trafficking, there are still millions of women and girls who 
are trafficked, physically abused, sexually abused or face the threat 
of violence every day. In Iraq, Darfur and Afghanistan, women and girls 
continue to be the targets of extreme violence, brutality and 
intimidation where they face overwhelming, if not insurmountable, 
obstacles to legal recourse and justice. And in times of war and 
conflict, although most women and children are not engaged in that 
conflict, they continue to suffer the most.
  So, Madam Speaker, it is important that Congress recognize the 
importance of March 8 and participate with the rest of the world in 
celebrating International Women's Day. Hopefully, the passage of this 
critical resolution will help raise awareness of the work we need to do 
and will help women continue to overcome the overwhelming obstacles 
that are still left to be overcome.
  We must make a commitment to invest in women. Women contribute to the 
growth of economies and improve the quality of the lives of their 
families, the health of their communities and their Nations. We have 
won many battles for equality and justice for women worldwide, and we 
can do it.
  The passage of this resolution puts us, the United States House of 
Representatives, firmly on the side of women who are seeking gender 
equality across the world, and I urge its passage
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman 
from California (Mrs. Capps).
  Mrs. CAPPS. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague for yielding, and it 
is such a pleasure to rise in strong support of H. Res. 149 and to 
commend my colleague from Illinois, Jan Schakowsky, for bringing 
attention through this resolution to International Women's Day, and to 
thank my colleagues here in the House for their support of this 
resolution.
  As my friend from Illinois has pointed out, with today's passage of 
this resolution, the Congressional Caucus for Women's Issues is passing 
the first item on its must-pass agenda list for the 110th Congress. 
What a fitting way

[[Page 5423]]

that we begin this session and acknowledge the importance of 
International Women's Day and the significance of it in our country and 
around the world.
  As we look around this world and we look here at home, we see that 
women are reaching the highest levels of power in many parts of the 
world and with our own country as well. They are being elected and 
appointed into positions previously reserved only for men.
  We see this in our communities, in business positions and education 
and in civic life and we see it here in Congress. As has been noted, we 
have for the first time in our 200-year history as a democracy we have 
a woman Speaker of the House. We have in this 110th Congress the most 
women who have every served in this House. The Senate can say the same 
this year.
  At the same time, today, women remain around the world and here in 
this country more likely to live in poverty, lack education, be 
victimized by violence than ever before.
  It is my pleasure and privilege to serve on the House Democracy 
Assistance Commission. In that capacity, I have visited several 
emerging democracies and have met with parliamentarians of other 
countries where these democracies are emerging. In each case, it is the 
women Members who reach out to me on behalf of their sisters throughout 
their country, and note with dismay that they have so many challenges 
to meet the needs of the women that they serve.
  I was especially touched when I visited the women of Afghanistan in 
their 1-year-old democracy who have struggled over the years and are 
still struggling and are so determined, despite the extreme oppression 
by the Taliban, determined to take their role in the parliament. Both 
threats on their lives and harassment and violence have marred that 
passage. Determined to make a better life for themselves and their 
children.
  Let me call out a similar kind of situation, a grassroots networking 
that I have seen and we have all experienced around this world today, 
networking to provide microloans from woman to woman, as is one of the 
nonprofit organizations called, giving women the opportunity to become 
self-sufficient for themselves and their families. They look to us as 
role models and as leaders, and yet we have our own challenges here.
  So as we become that role model for so many democracies around the 
world in so many emerging democracies, as we see that we have 
challenges facing our women in this country, let us celebrate then 
International Women's Day this Thursday making a firmer commitment to 
improving the lives of women here in the United States and throughout 
this world.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton).
  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I thank my good friend from California for 
yielding to me and my good friend as well from Illinois for coming 
forward with this bill.
  To tell you the truth, I had often looked at bills which celebrate 
groups in two ways, because I noticed that only insurgent groups have 
such days named for them or groups most in need, and so they become 
days of celebration. I have warmed to them only because I have 
recognized why such groups have their own day, International Women's 
Day for example.
  It is because having such a day provides an opportunity for a call to 
action. I wish I could come to the floor to celebrate women 
internationally. It is hard for me to do that when I see the progress 
in the global economy and look at what has happened and is happening 
internationally to women who are still chattel in most places in the 
world, who essentially would qualify as an oppressed group, not as a 
group seeking equality. So I think we ought to use International 
Women's Day to speak out for women who cannot speak for themselves.
  What is to me perhaps most tragic is that the experience that most 
women in this country welcome is one that women across the world, 
particularly in developing countries, may dread, and that is the 
experience of pregnancy. Where pregnancy cannot be controlled by a 
woman, it is not the extraordinarily wonderful and welcome state that 
it is in our country. There will never be equality for women until 
women can control their own fertility.

                              {time}  1315

  As long as women are subject to men, as long as they have no control 
over their own fertility, then you will see women with as much HIV and 
AIDS as men. Where saying ``no'' to a man isn't something you do as a 
woman, but something you can't do as a woman, you are not equal.
  So today I call attention to the world that our country has done very 
little to help women across the world control their fertility and 
understand what equality means. We would not have women marching for 
equality and toward equality today if each and every woman who chose 
was not able to control her fertility. May we help obtain the same for 
our good sisters around the world.
  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, I am proud today to join Congresswoman Jan 
Schakow-sky--who continues to do a great job as a Chief Deputy Whip--in 
recognizing the importance of International Women's Day on March 8.
  Almost 100 years ago, a group of courageous women proposed creating 
an International Women's Day to honor the women's rights movement and 
to continue the fight for universal suffrage. This day has since 
expanded in scope to serve as an opportunity to celebrate the 
accomplishments of women, and recommit ourselves to ending 
discrimination and violence against women across the globe.
  Since the first commemoration of International Women's Day in 1910, 
women have made significant advances. Women have been elected to the 
highest levels of government across the world, and they serve as the 
leaders of nations such as Chile, Liberia, and Germany. An estimated 
10.4 million businesses in the United States are owned by women. 
Worldwide, women receive eighty percent of all micro-loans to start 
small businesses. In the United States, women are graduating from high 
school and college at record rates.
  However, while these accomplishments are indeed significant, we still 
have far more work to do. In the United States and across the world, 
women still face obstacles to political and economic equality. While 
women work two-thirds of the world's working hours, they earn only one 
percent of the world's income. Of the 1.3 billion people living in 
poverty, 70 percent are women and children. Violence against women 
continues at a horrific rate. These are unacceptable statistics, and we 
must do everything we can to change them.
  As we mark this year's International Women's Day, we must renew and 
reaffirm our commitment to stopping violence against women and putting 
an end to discriminatory practices so that all women have a real 
opportunity to participate in society to the fullest.
  By recognizing International Women's Day and all that it represents, 
we give hope to women across the world. We honor the women who have 
fought--and continue to fight--for their rights, and I am proud to 
stand with them as we continue efforts to achieve equality and justice.
  Again, I thank Congresswoman Schakow-sky for introducing this 
important bill.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
pay tribute to women by supporting the goals of International Women's 
Day. As a woman, I recognize and honor all the women who have fought 
and struggled for the equality of women.
  Women from all parts of the world are divided by ethnic, linguistic, 
cultural, economic and political differences. This day will allow for 
the differences to be overshadowed by the similarities. This day will 
enable them to look back to a tradition that represents decades of 
struggle for equality, justice, peace, and development.
  International Women's Day recognizes the importance of securing peace 
and allowing social progress by identifying the rights of women to 
equal opportunity and freedom. Women are being given the opportunity to 
participate in the workforce and contribute to international peace and 
security; this is an extraordinary advancement.
  As Members of Congress, we need to reaffirm the commitment of ending 
discrimination and violence against women and girls. We must continue 
to encourage the President to affirm his commitment to pursue policies 
to protect human rights and civil liberties.
  Madam Speaker, the key fact remains: women themselves have the right 
to live in

[[Page 5424]]

dignity. Let us rededicate ourselves to making that a reality by 
honoring International Women's Day. I urge my colleagues to vote in 
support of International Women's Day.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to support the goals of 
International Women's Day. This is a day that not only recognizes the 
struggles women and girls have faced and continue to face throughout 
the world, but also celebrates their significant advancements and 
achievements.
  Founded in the United States in the early 1900's, International 
Women's Day has grown to be recognized throughout the world each year 
on March 8th: from Australia, to Singapore, to Afghanistan, to Chile. 
This year alone, there are 269 International Women's Day events 
scheduled around the globe, with 44 occurring in the United States.
  Since the inception of International Women's Day, women have made 
considerable progress throughout the world. A vast majority of women 
now have the right to vote. There currently are eleven women heads of 
state and 27 women presiding over national assemblies across the 
globe--including Nancy Pelosi, the first female Speaker of the U.S. 
House.
  Some of women's most notable legislative successes here at home 
include: securing the right to vote in 1920; passage of the Equal Pay 
Act in 1963; Title IX in 1972; and the Violence Against Women Act in 
1994.
  Despite these significant achievements, women in the United States 
and throughout the world still face obstacles to full equality. Women 
and girls are more likely to be illiterate, impoverished and a victim 
of domestic violence. Additionally, the U.S. Department of State 
estimates that every year, 800,000 to 900,000 people are victims of 
trafficking--most of them are women and girls.
  I stand here today--in solidarity with women and girls around the 
globe--to bring attention to International Women's Day. It is important 
to recognize and celebrate the obstacles women have surmounted on the 
road to equality. Additionally, I hope to bring attention to the 
inequalities that we still face, so that we can continue to break down 
gender barriers in the hope that we can one day eradicate gender 
inequality.
  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res, 149, a 
resolution supporting International Women's Day on March 8, 2007. For 
several decades the international community has reserved this day to 
celebrate the achievements and contributions of women around the world. 
International Women's Day is also a time to recognize and remember the 
work we still have before us to achieve equal social and political 
rights for women.
  Today, women all over the world are becoming leaders in every 
professional field imaginable. The achievements of women in politics 
are especially noteworthy. As we celebrate Women's History Month in the 
United States, it is my honor to recognize this important Day under the 
historic leadership of the first woman Speaker of the House, my fellow 
Californian, Nancy Pelosi.
  The 110th Congress also marks the rise of six women to seven 
committee chair positions, the most ever held by women in any prior 
Congress:
  Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald from California is chairing 
the House Committee on Administration;
  Congresswoman Louise Slaughter from New York is chairing the House 
Rules Committee;
  Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez from New York is chairing the House 
Committee on Small Business;
  Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones from Ohio is chairing the House 
Committee on Standards of Official Conduct;
  Senator Dianne Feinstein from California is chairing the Senate 
Committee on Rules and Administration; and
  Senator Barbara Boxer from California is chairing the Senate 
Committee on the Environment and Public Works and is currently Acting 
Chair for the Senate Select Committee on Ethics.
  These women all honor our Nation with their distinguished service and 
leadership.
  I also want to pay special tribute to my distinguished colleague 
Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen who has achieved the distinction of becoming 
the first woman Ranking Member on this committee. We all benefit from 
her contributions and those of all of the women Members who are 
performing important responsibilities on the Committee of Foreign 
Affairs with honor and distinction.
  Despite notable political progress for women in leadership positions 
in the U.S. and around the world, women continue to struggle for equal 
social and political rights; access to health care, education and work; 
and freedom from civil conflict, violence, human trafficking and 
various cultural practices that put women's lives at risk.
  The theme for this year's International Women's Day captures a 
critical goal we all must share: ``ending impunity for violence against 
women and girls.''
  While manifestations of violence against women and girls vary across 
social, economic, cultural and historical contexts, it is clear that 
violence against women and girls remains a devastating reality in all 
parts of the world. The global evidence is chilling. Violence against 
women is a pervasive violation of human rights and a major impediment 
to achieving gender equality, development and peace.
  According to the United Nations:

       Domestic violence is the largest form of abuse of women 
     worldwide, irrespective of region, culture, ethnicity, 
     education, class and religion. Violence against women is the 
     most common but least punished crime in the world.
       The number of women forced or sold into prostitution is 
     estimated worldwide at anywhere between 700,000 and 4 million 
     per year. Profits from sex slavery are estimated at $7 to $l2 
     billion per year. The number of women trafficked into forced 
     labor put these numbers at even more astounding levels.
       It is estimated that more than two million girls are 
     genitally mutilated per year.
       Systematic rape continues to be used as a weapon of terror 
     in many of the world's recent conflicts--including Darfur, 
     Bosnia and Rwanda.

  While international, regional and national legal and policy 
frameworks have been established, to address violence against women and 
girls, implementation of these laws and norms remains insufficient and 
inconsistent around the world. Gender inequality, poverty and endless 
cycles of violence are exacerbated as a result of failures to hold 
perpetrators of violence against women and girls accountable for their 
actions.
  Eliminating violence against women remains one of the most serious 
and urgent challenges of our time. Each one of us has a duty to support 
and sustain a political and social environment where violence against 
women and girls is not tolerated; where friends, family members, 
neighbors, men and women, intervene to ensure these crimes and acts are 
not committed with impunity.
  I will do everything in my power as chairman to ensure that every 
piece of legislation we consider in this Committee will improve the 
security, opportunity and prosperity of women and I know my colleagues 
will share this important goal.
  I want to thank my colleague Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky and the 
other cosponsors of this resolution for giving us this opportunity to 
recognize the importance of International Women's Day. I am proud to 
support this resolution and I urge all my colleagues to do the same.
  Ms. LORETTA SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today as a 
cosponsor of House Resolution 149, in support of International Women's 
Day. I thank my colleague, Congresswoman Schakowsky of Illinois, for 
introducing this important resolution.
  Women in every country around the world face an every-day battle for 
their safety, and for equal rights, civil rights, and human rights.
  Even here in this country, every day, women are victims of sexual 
assault, abuse, and domestic violence.
  Today, I stand with my colleagues in the House--with women in this 
country, and with women around the world--to make a commitment to work 
together to end discrimination and violence against women.
  Yesterday, I returned from a trip where I led a Congressional 
delegation of female members to visit Iraq. While. we were there, we 
met with Iraqi women who told us that they are treated like second 
class citizens.
  This is unacceptable. Women in Iraq deserve the same basic human 
rights and civil liberties as men. It is fitting that we should take 
this occasion, on the day before March 8th--International Women's Day--
to restate this basic and essential message.
  I urge my colleagues to unanimously support this resolution, a 
message to women everywhere--that this House is committed to fight for 
their civil rights, human rights, and their right to live each day 
without fear of sexual abuse, assault, and domestic violence.
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of 
H. Res. 149, which supports the goals of International Women's Day 
(IWD). International Women's Day is a day on which millions around the 
world come together to commemorate their continued struggle for 
equality, justice, peace, and development for all women around the 
world.
  International Women's Day has grown to become a global day of 
recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries 
alike. For decades, IWD has grown

[[Page 5425]]

from strength to strength annually. For many years the United Nations 
has held an annual IWD conference to coordinate international efforts 
for women's rights and participation in social, political and economic 
processes.
  Madam Speaker, 1975 was designated as `International Women's Year' by 
the United Nations. Women's organizations and governments around the 
world have also observed IWD annually on March 8 by holding large-scale 
events that honor women's advancement and while diligently reminding of 
the continued vigilance and action required to ensure that women's 
equality is gained and maintained in all aspects of life.
  There are over 3,000,000,000 women in the world, representing 51 
percent of the world's population; we need to celebrate and emphasize 
the important roles that women play around the world.
  Throughout history women have faithfully and fervently forged a 
strong fight to tear down the walls of discrimination, bridge the gap 
between the haves and have-nots, and lay the foundation of a towering 
edifice of equality and justice. Some of these strong soldiers for 
justice include Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Rosa Parks. I am 
extremely proud of the recent passage of H.R. 4510, a bill on which 
Senator Hillary Clinton and I worked diligently together to pay tribute 
to the enormous contributions Sojourner Truth made in the interests of 
all women. H.R. 4510 directs the Joint Committee on the Library to 
accept the donation of a bust depicting Sojourner Truth and to display 
the bust in a suitable location in the Capitol. On behalf of women in 
this country, and all around the world, it was important to urge the 
recognition and honor of abolitionist Sojourner Truth with the addition 
of her likeness to the statue commemorating women's suffrage in the 
United States Capitol.
  Women continue to play the prominent role in caring for families 
within the home as well as serving as economic earners. Women are 
defined by their versatility. Women not only cook, clean, and care for 
their children, but they also own and operate businesses, teach our 
schoolchildren, drive buses, create art, practice medicine and law, and 
legislate, as well as perform in many other capacities.
  All over the world women play important roles in the world of 
diplomacy and politics, contribute to the growth of economies, and 
improve the quality of the lives of their families, communities, and 
nations.
  Madam Speaker, we recently celebrated the 2007 election of 
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi as the first female Speaker of the House, a 
significant stride in the cause of promoting the advancement of women 
as leaders and major players in politics. We also witnessed the recent 
passage of H.R. 4510, a bill I proudly introduced which directed the 
Joint Committee on the Library to accept the donation of a bust 
depicting Sojourner Truth and to display the bust in a suitable 
location in the Capitol. On behalf of women in this country, and all 
around the world, it was important to urge the recognition and honor of 
abolitionist Sojourner Truth with the addition of her likeness to the 
statue commemorating women's suffrage in the United States Capitol. We 
also witnessed the 2006 election of Michelle Bachelet as the first 
female President of Chile; the 2006 election of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf 
as the first female President in Africa's history; and the 2005 
election of Angela Merkel as the first female Chancellor of Germany, 
who will also serve as the second woman to chair a G8 summit beginning 
in 2007.
  Women account for 80 percent of the world's 70 million micro-
borrowers and 75 percent of the 28,000 United States loans supporting 
small businesses in Afghanistan are made to women, and 11 women are 
chief executive officers of Fortune 500 companies.
  In the United States, women are graduating from high school at higher 
rates and are earning bachelors degrees or higher degrees at greater 
rates than men, with 88 percent of women between the ages of 25 and 29 
having obtained a high school diploma and 31 percent of women between 
the ages of 25 and 29 earning a bachelors degree or higher.
  But in spite of tremendous gains, women still face political and 
economic obstacles, struggle for basic rights, face the threat of 
discrimination, and are targets of violence all over the world.
  Worldwide women remain vastly underrepresented in national and local 
assemblies, accounting on average for less than 10 percent of the seats 
in parliament, except for in East Asia where the figure is 
approximately 18 to 19 percent. In no developing region do women hold 
more than 8 percent of the ministerial positions.
  Women work two-thirds of the world's working hours and produce half 
of the world's food, yet earn only 1 percent of the world's income and 
own less than 1 percent of the world's property.
  In the United States between 1995 and 2000, female managers earned 
less than their male counterparts in the 10 industries that employ the 
vast majority of all female employees. Of the 1,300,000,000 people 
living in poverty around the world, 70 percent are women and children.
  Madam Speaker, we need to continue to support programs that ensure 
women and girls across the globe are empowered with an education so 
that they reach their performance potentials and therefore function as 
productive citizens of the world.
  According to the United States Agency for International Development, 
two-thirds of the 876,000,000 illiterate individuals worldwide are 
women, two-thirds of the 125,000,000 school-aged children who are not 
attending school worldwide are girls, and girls are less likely to 
complete school than boys.
  Women are particularly vulnerable to health problems and we must 
continue to fight to ensure that every woman around the world has 
access to adequate health care and health insurance.
  Worldwide women account for half of all cases of HIV/AIDS, 
approximately 42,000,000 cases, and in countries with a high prevalence 
of HIV/AIDS, young women are at a higher risk than young men of 
contracting HIV. Globally, each year over 500,000 women die during 
childbirth and pregnancy.
  We must also provide adequate protection and support systems that 
empower women to avoid or discontinue the victimization of abusive 
relationships. Domestic violence causes more deaths and disability 
among women between ages 15 and 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic 
accidents, and war. Worldwide, at least 1 out of every 3 women and 
girls has been beaten in her lifetime.
  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at least 
1 out of every 6 women and girls in the United States has been sexually 
abused in her lifetime.
  Worldwide, 130,000,000 girls and young women have been subjected to 
female genital mutilation and it is estimated that 10,000 girls are at 
risk of being subjected to this practice in the United States. 
According to the Congressional Research Service and the Department of 
State, illegal trafficking in women and children for forced labor, 
domestic servitude, or sexual exploitation involves between 1 million 
and 2 million women and children each year, of whom 50,000 are 
transported into the United States. Between 75 and 80 percent of the 
world's 27,000,000 refugees are women and children.
  In times and places of conflict and war, women and girls continue to 
be the focus of extreme violence and intimidation and face tremendous 
obstacles to legal recourse and justice.
  Madam Speaker, March 8 has become known as International Women's Day 
for the last century, and is a day on which people, often divided by 
ethnicity, language, culture, and income, come together to celebrate a 
common struggle for women's equality, justice, and peace. For these 
reasons, the people of the United States have reason and should be 
eager to participate in International Women's Day.
  I strongly support H. Res. 149.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Madam Speaker, I am so pleased that the House is joining 
the global community in celebrating International Women's Day.
  As a woman, a mother, and a grandmother, I see the amazing 
accomplishments women have made in my lifetime--including the first 
woman Speaker of the House.
  However, we still have a lot of challenges ahead of us--women still 
face discrimination in the workplace, lack affordable healthcare, earn 
less than their male counterparts and struggle to pay for childcare.
  I look forward to working with the new Democratic Congress to bring 
real change to the women and girls of this country and provide them a 
future of hope and optimism.
  Mr. BRALEY of Iowa. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 149, 
which recognizes and honors the purpose of International Women's Day.
  Recognizing the contributions American women have made to our 
Nation's progress over the course of history is so very important 
because their contributions have too frequently taken place out of the 
limelight.
  It is truly remarkable when one takes note of the expansive list of 
contributions women have made to our country throughout its history.
  From my own State of Iowa, Lilia Abron became the first African-
American woman in the Nation to obtain a doctoral degree in chemical 
engineering at the University of Iowa.
  Phyllis Propp Fowle, a native of Iowa, became the first female Judge 
Advocate General Officer in the U.S. Army.

[[Page 5426]]

  Arabella Mansfield became the first female lawyer in the United 
States after being admitted to practice law in Iowa.
  And I constantly remind myself I would not be here today had it not 
been for my own mother. She went back to school to obtain her four year 
teaching degree so she could help my family make ends meet after my 
father was injured in a grain elevator accident.
  Using a single calendar day of the year to honor the barriers these 
women and countless others broke and the sacrifices they made is the 
least we can do to thank them for their contributions to our society.
  I only hope that their stories inspire other women--and men--to work 
hard to achieve the promise this Nation was founded on: a place where 
all people are created equal.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of our 
time.
  Thank you, Ambassador Watson, and thank you to the gentlewoman from 
Illinois for introducing this bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 149.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. WATSON. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this question will 
be postponed.

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