[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5073]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   IN HONOR OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 27, 2014

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to honor and 
recognize the month of March as Women's History Month. The 
contributions of women to our history and society are too often ignored 
in favor of narratives that honor men alone. We must highlight the work 
and accomplishments of our women pioneers such that the next generation 
aspires to emulate them.
  One such instance is the efforts of Lily Ledbetter and her fight 
against pay discrimination that culminated in President Barack Obama 
signing the Lily Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009 into law on January 29, 
2009. The law changed the 180-day statute of limitations for filing a 
pay discrimination lawsuit to reset with each new paycheck in which pay 
discrimination is alleged. The bill was ultimately passed after the 
Supreme Court sided with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Lily 
Ledbetter's pay discrimination suit against them. The act modified the 
law to clarify that pay discrimination occurs each time someone is 
subjected to pay discrimination, not just when the initial 
discriminatory decision is made. Lily Ledbetter's historic fight 
against pay discrimination ensured workers' would have a better chance 
to prove pay discrimination based on race, national origin, gender, 
religion, age, or disability.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, as we honor and recognize the month of March 
as Women's History Month, let us recognize the progress women have made 
and their myriad accomplishments. We must also rededicate ourselves to 
preserving and expanding this progress, as well as honoring our past 
and present female pioneers.

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