[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4733]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JUSTICE O'CONNOR

  (Ms. GIFFORDS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. GIFFORDS. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize the 
accomplishments of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the first woman to 
serve on the United States Supreme Court.
  Just last week, the House unanimously passed a resolution in 
recognition of her distinguished career during Women's History Month. 
Justice O'Connor truly embodies the Arizona spirit of hard work and 
rugged individualism.
  After growing up on her family's ranch, the Lazy B located in the 
high deserts of Arizona, she quickly achieved success. Justice O'Connor 
graduated cum laude from Stanford University in 1950 and in the top 
three of her class at Stanford University Law School. Justice O'Connor 
began her career in public service as the Arizona Assistant Attorney 
General in 1965 and went on to the State legislature. She became the 
first woman in the country to serve as a Senate Majority Leader. 
Justice O'Connor was catapulted into our Nation's limelight when 
President Ronald Reagan nominated her to the United States Supreme 
Court in 1981. She served 24 terms on the Supreme Court in a centrist 
role with her commitment to uphold law and our Constitution. Just last 
year she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President 
Barack Obama, the highest recognition for any civilian.
  Today we honor Justice Sandra Day O'Connor because this Friday we 
celebrate her 80th birthday. This resolution is a small birthday gift 
to a daughter of Arizona from a grateful Nation that she so proudly 
served.

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