[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING THE FEMALE PRESIDENTIAL MEDAL OF FREEDOM RECIPIENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 31, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the outstanding 
accomplishments of the women who were presented with the Medal of 
Freedom yesterday by the President Barack Obama at the White House. 
These women come from a variety of backgrounds, but they are all 
leaders, and inspirations for young women across the country to become 
strong and powerful, compassionate and wise themselves.
  Those honored have helped women's rights evolve over the last 
century. Starting with Juliette Gordon Low, who in 1912 registered 18 
girls to create the first troop of American Girl Guides, who later 
became the Girl Scouts.
  The Girl Scout movement brought girls into the out-of-doors, and 
helped to develop their self-reliance and resourcefulness. Today it is 
still going strong, and continues to be an organization that is 
accepting of people from all backgrounds, with a membership that has 
grown to 3.7 million girls. Although she passed away in 1927, Ms. Low's 
efforts are still being felt today, and her memory will continue in the 
lives of the remarkable Girl Scouts who serve their communities.
  Madeline Albright was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in the years 
right before World War II. Her family was forced to flee with the rise 
of Hitler, and after a number of years spent in Europe, Ms. Albright 
found her way to America. While raising a family she was able to earn 
her Ph.D. and eventually work her way up to the position of U.S. 
Ambassador of the United Nations.
  In 1997 she was sworn in as the first female Secretary of State, and 
therefore became the highest ranking woman in America's history. Ms. 
Albright broke into a male dominated world and rose to the top. She has 
inspired many young women to do the same, and truer words were never 
spoken when she said, ``Only in America can a refugee become the 
Secretary of State.''
  Toni Morrison's first novel was The Bluest Eye. This controversial 
book brought about a frank conversation on ideas of beauty in relation 
to race and class. These kind of issues made people uncomfortable, and 
it was placed on multiple banned book lists. However, Ms. Morrison 
understood the necessity of speaking openly about these issues in order 
to move forwards from them. She went on to win the Nobel Prize in 
Literature and continues to bring important issues to the table through 
her writings.
  Pat Summitt has won more championships than any other coach in NCAA 
history. Even with a recent diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease she is 
still coaching, claiming that the players are her ``best medicine.'' 
Outside of her tremendous athletic accomplishments, every single one of 
her players has either graduated, or is currently on her way to a 
degree. She is a true teacher and inspiration to all women and those 
suffering from dementia alike.
  Mr. Speaker, we should all be proud to be fellow citizens of these 
women. I would also like to recognize the great Delores Huerta, co-
founder of the Farm Workers Union who also received the Medal of 
Freedom. I will describe her contributions and achievements later 
today.
  The significant contributions of these extraordinary women have 
influenced people across the world. They have shown us that it is okay 
to be strong and commanding, and that a woman has as much right as a 
man to hold a position of power. These women have influenced 
generations of people with their words and actions, and they truly 
deserve this honor.

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