[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 16145]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                            WOMEN'S EQUALITY

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, one reason I am proud to be from the great 
State of Wyoming is that our State is the land of many firsts. We have 
the first national park, which is Yellowstone National Park. We have 
the first national monument, which is Devils Tower, and we have the 
first national forest, which is the Shoshone National Forest, just to 
name a very few.
  But another huge milestone and important first for our State is that 
we were the first State to give women the right to vote. We are 
pioneers in more ways than one out West. That is how Wyoming got its 
nickname, the Equality State.
  I rise to talk about an important anniversary that our country 
recently celebrated. August 26 was Women's Equality Day, marking the 
90th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote. Of course, that is 
50 years after Wyoming's special vote. We just celebrated 140 years 
since Louisa Swain became the first woman in the world to vote.
  When the Wyoming territory was being considered to be a State, we 
were told to repeal women's right to vote. Our legislators said: No 
thanks. It is not worth that to be a State. Wyoming stood first and, of 
course, the rest of the country followed suit five decades later.
  The ratification of the 19th amendment to our Constitution was a 
landmark in our need to recognize the voices of women and welcome their 
contributions to our country. Women have always offered a wealth of 
knowledge and spirit, and the 19th amendment showed our commitment to 
continually fight for women's equality.
  In Wyoming alone, we have been graced by women's accomplishments from 
past to present. Wyoming had the first female justice of the peace in 
the United States, Esther Hobart Morris. We had the first woman to head 
up the mint. In fact, she is one of the few female statues displayed in 
the U.S. Capitol today. Wyoming also welcomed the first woman to serve 
as Governor of a U.S. State, Nellie Tayloe Ross.
  Today, we are continually impacted and influenced by strong women in 
our State. I am honored to serve in Wyoming's congressional delegation 
alongside U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis, who took the reins from 
her predecessor, Barbara Cubin, and has been a remarkable leader for 
Wyoming. She has served Wyoming in a variety of roles, as a lawyer, a 
rancher, a legislator, and State treasurer, now U.S. Representative. 
Now in her role in the House, she continues to do an outstanding job 
serving her constituents and fighting for their interests in Congress.
  It is clear there is no shortage of women looking to stand and make a 
difference in this country. I am optimistic that we are continuing down 
a path that looks out for women's best interests and seeks to provide 
them with more and more venues to have their voices heard and resources 
known.
  Women serve as a pillar of strength in our country. I am proud to 
recognize the 140th year of Wyoming women voting, and this 90th 
anniversary of women in the rest of the United States gaining the right 
to vote and look forward to continually welcoming their contributions 
and achievements.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Franken.) The Senator from Louisiana.
  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, I understand we are in morning business 
to speak for up to 10 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.

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