[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 4729]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF SUPREME COURT JUSTICE SANDRA DAY 
 O'CONNOR, THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE ON THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 23, 2010

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 
1141, which honors the achievements and distinguished career of Justice 
Sandra Day O'Connor, and recognizes her impact as an American symbol of 
hard work and rugged individualism. H. Res. 1141 is an important 
measure that acknowledges the truly impressive career of Sandra Day 
O'Connor and pays tribute to her distinguished record as one of the 
nation's great jurists that has inspired generations of women across 
the country and around the world.
  I thank Chairman John Conyers for his leadership in bringing this 
bill to the floor. I would also like to thank the sponsor of this 
legislation, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, for taking the time to 
acknowledge Justice O'Connor's positive impact on the legal profession, 
the world of public service, and the lives of women and girls with 
dreams as ambitious as her own.
  Madam Speaker, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's rise to the top of the 
legal profession is a testament to the power of tirelessly dedicating 
yourself to the pursuit of your dreams and staying true to your core 
values. After graduating in the top three of her class at Stanford Law 
School, Justice O'Connor practiced law in Frankfurt, Germany and 
Phoenix, Arizona. Soon, however, she took her talents to the arena of 
public service, serving as the Arizona Assistant Attorney General and 
Majority Leader in the Arizona State Senate. In 1979, she was appointed 
by Arizona Governor Bruce Babbitt to serve on the Arizona Court of 
Appeals. Her fair-minded decisions, detailed knowledge of the law, and 
growing stature in the legal profession led President Ronald Reagan to 
nominate Sandra Day O'Connor in 1981 to serve as the first woman on the 
United States Supreme Court.
  Justice O'Connor served for 24 terms on the United States Supreme 
Court. Her service was marked by her centrist judicial philosophy, 
consensus-building role on the Court, and determination to uphold the 
law and the Constitution. A shining moment in Justice O'Connor's legacy 
was her support of the proposed Equal Rights Amendment, which further 
strengthened her role as a role model for women of all generations. On 
August 12, 2009, President Barack Obama awarded Sandra Day O'Connor the 
Presidential Medal of Freedom, a deserved honor for an important 
national figure who inspires countless Americans.
  It is entirely fitting that we take this time to honor Justice Sandra 
Day O'Connor. The story of Justice O'Connor's ascent to the United 
States Supreme Court is an inspirational one that reaffirms the power 
of hard work, determination, and fidelity to core values. Her service 
on the Court helped make our country better and fairer. Most 
importantly, through her successful career, she paved the way for 
female leaders throughout the arena of public service. And it is 
significant to note that Sandra Day O'Connor achieved all of this while 
helping raise three children. Her refusal to make the unfair choice 
between family and career is another reason why she has become a role 
model for women throughout the country.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 
1141.

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