Congressional Record, House, March 17, 2021 — Celebrating Women's History Month
Summary
Congressional Record, House, pages H1484 and H1485, March 17, 2021, under the heading Celebrating Women's History Month. Lawrence, co-chair of the Democratic Women's Caucus, leads the Special Order, and remarks note over 140 Democrat and Republican women in the House and the Senate. Speier honors women of the military, including Loretta Walsh, Ann E. Dunwoody, Michelle Howard and Laura Richardson. Wasserman Schultz speaks about women's equity, the pandemic and reproductive destiny. Later remarks say that in the 56 days since President Biden was sworn in on January 20, illegal immigration has surged.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
Cite this document
“Congressional Record, House, March 17, 2021 — Celebrating Women's History Month.”
Original at www.govinfo.gov. Archived at Pandemic Darlings, https://pandemicdarlings.com/source-documents/crec-crec-2021-03-17-crec-2021-03-17-pt1-pgh1484-ed8449a23a/
, SHA-256 5d7794b9571bb5c59d3df78fd85a29d20067d5799b27ed2ef12301b305c11506.Full text
H1484 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2021
b 1945 So we have our first woman, our first in the advancement of women’s equity
CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY Black American, our first Asian-Amer- and equality.
MONTH ican Vice President, who has coined Women have been on the front lines
the phrase: ‘‘The first, but not the fighting for America’s values and free-
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under last.’’ dom since the founding of our Nation.
the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- We stand on the shoulders, all of us, Our foremothers blazed a trail for
uary 4, 2021, the gentlewoman from of giants. We continue to build the women like Loretta Walsh, who, in
Michigan (Mrs. LAWRENCE) is recog- foundation so that the next generation 1917, as America teetered on the brink
nized for 60 minutes as the designee of of girls and young women can stand on of entering World War I, heard and an-
the majority leader. our shoulders. Look at this Congress. swered the call to serve. Loretta be-
GENERAL LEAVE
There are over 140 Democrat and Re- came the first woman to enlist in the
Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I ask publican women in the House and the U.S. military in a position other than
unanimous consent that all Members Senate, the most ever in the history of nursing and was our first female chief
may have 5 legislative days to revise our country. petty officer.
and extend their remarks and include That translates to the work we are I also want to recognize Captain
material on the subject of my Special doing in this Chamber to better the Kristen Griest and Lieutenant Shaye
Order in the RECORD. lives of women and girls. If you look at Haver, the first women to graduate
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there
today, we voted to pass the equal from the Army Ranger School; Mar-
objection to the request of the gentle-
rights amendment resolution and the cella Hayes, America’s first Black fe-
woman from Michigan?
There was no objection. Violence Against Women Reauthoriza- male fighter pilot; and Mary Edward
Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, as a tion Act. These are the steps in the Walker, the first female U.S. Army sur-
co-chair of the Democratic Women’s right direction. We have come a long geon who served in the Civil War and
Caucus, I am pleased to lead this Spe- way, baby, for full equality, but we the only woman to receive the Presi-
cial Order in celebration of Women’s still have work to do. dential Medal of Honor.
History Month. Throughout March, we We, unfortunately, have a system in The strength and courage of these
recognize the women leaders, trail- America that often suppress women women and so many more like them re-
blazers, and pioneers who come before and does not support women. But we inforces what we already know: There
us. know that, ‘‘A woman is like a tea is nothing women cannot do.
We have chartered a path forward bag,’’ like Eleanor Roosevelt said, ‘‘you When women are in positions of lead-
that will lift up and empower young never know how strong she is until she ership, our country is in better hands.
women and girls. The soul and moral gets in hot water.’’ I believe that this is especially true in
compass of our Nation rests on the And I know for a fact that women our military.
shoulders of women throughout this have continued to stand up against I honor General Ann E. Dunwoody,
history. every barrier. You point to this pan- our Nation’s first female four-star gen-
I am proud to fight every day so that demic and you see how women, espe- eral; Admiral Michelle Howard, the
we can improve the quality of life for cially women of color, have borne the Navy’s first female four-star admiral
women and girls in Michigan and brunt of this health and economic cri- and first African American to com-
across this country. sis. But we keep moving and we will mand a U.S. naval ship; and Air Force
As the co-chair of the Democratic continue in this Congress to fight for General Laura Richardson, the first fe-
Women’s Caucus and the vice chair of the women in America. male commander of a combatant com-
the Congressional Black Caucus, I have This is our responsibility, and I am mand.
made it a mission to put women issues glad that we have women leaders These women have served our Nation
and Black women issues front and cen- across the Federal, State, and local honorably. They now must open new
ter in this Congress. governments that we have looked up doors for a generation of women to ful-
But before I go into the work that we to. Every woman in this Congress fill their dreams to serve our country
have done and are doing in this Cham- today recognizes that the next genera- under safe conditions, free from sexual
ber, I want to recognize the inspira- tion is looking at us and asking us to assault and harassment.
tional women in my life who helped stand up. All of these women warriors volun-
shape who I am. Our Vice President of the United teered for duty and risked their lives
First, I want to acknowledge my States, our Speaker of the House, and while fighting rampant misogyny, in-
grandmother, who, without a high half of President Biden’s Cabinet, and cluding attacks from talking heads on
school education, taught me the value even on the other side of the aisle, the national TV—who have never served
of education, taught me the value of chair of the House Republican Party, our country—and racism for the
being a woman, of being a wife, of all are women. We are making success, women of color. Their unflinching
being a mother. She is my rock and my and I know that we can do so much courage has paved the way for thou-
foundation. She taught me that being a more. sands of women serving in our Armed
woman and being a Black woman in I continue to work, and I want to Forces today. Our military is stronger
America ‘‘is to be fearless, Brenda,’’ to know that when women succeed, Amer- and this country is safer because
never apologize, and be accountable for ica succeeds, as our amazing Speaker women serve.
everything that I do, and that I work of the House reminds us. We honor these military women’s
hard, get my education, and keep my I am so glad to share this hour with achievements today on the House floor.
faith in God. There was no door I could some of our amazing women leaders May we never forget their sacrifice,
not walk through or no table that I did who will continue to tell us, while we duty, and dedication. May they elevate
not deserve to sit at. She had strength have a month dedicated to women’s a new generation of women in the mili-
and confidence in something I carry history, we make history every single tary, free from bias, racial discrimina-
with me every single day. day. tion, and sexual assault.
Then there is my shero, Shirley Chis- I would like to ask for my first Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I
holm, who paved the way for Black speaker to come to the podium. thank my amazing co-chair for every-
women like me to be in Congress. She Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle- thing she does.
proved every day the power that woman from California (Ms. SPEIER). Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle-
women had to change their commu- Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank woman from Florida (Ms. WASSERMAN
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
nity. Shirley Chisholm always said: ‘‘If the gentlewoman for yielding, my SCHULTZ).
they don’t give you a seat at the table, friend, my colleague, my co-chair of Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr.
bring a folding chair.’’ the Democratic Women’s Caucus. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for
And, my goodness, the majority of I rise tonight in honor of Women’s yielding.
women who represent us here in Con- History Month and the heroic, trail- I rise today to honor our foremothers
gress are carrying their own folding blazing women of our military, who who first demanded equity in and out-
chair. have risked their lives for our country side the home, along with the sheroes
VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:21 Mar 18, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.061 H17MRPT1
March 17, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1485
of today who still battle for it amidst made; the struggles we continue to to make our communities a safer and a
this deadly pandemic both on and be- face; and the strong, fearless, and self- healthier place for women and girls. It
hind its front lines. less women who have and continue to is an honor to know her, to thank her,
The onset of COVID–19 pushed so pave the way. to celebrate her as we recognize Wom-
many brave women into the deadly I have often lamented, as have many en’s History Month.
viral fires. It also foisted upon too of my colleagues here, that for women b 2000
many of them an inordinate share of to reach their full potential, we must
unpaid caretaker and teacher roles be in charge of our own reproductive Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, it is
once they were safe at home. destiny. No one should have to call also significant to note that the major-
Throughout all of history, it is their Governor or Member of Congress ity of the diversity in Congress is rep-
women, especially those of color, who for permission to access contraception resented by the women Members of
bear the harshest health and economic or abortion. And even after the land- Congress.
burdens and fallout from such national Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle-
mark decision Roe v. Wade, it is a con-
crises. woman from New York (Mrs. CAROLYN
stant battle to protect a hard-fought
The data is clear: Only a full recov- B. MALONEY), a fighter for the ERA.
right to legal abortion. Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New
ery that prioritizes women can reverse We have seen Republican administra-
this ‘‘she-cession’’ we are in. York. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mrs. LAW-
tions and Republican States legisla- RENCE for her extraordinary leadership.
That is why I proudly supported the tures create obstacle after obstacle to
American Rescue Plan, which provides In 1921, exactly 100 years ago, just
prevent women from achieving repro- after ratifying the 19th Amendment,
much-needed help to women across this ductive freedom, blocking access to
country. This relief package includes the suffragists set their sights on an-
legal abortion and even contraception. other constitutional change. The vote
historic expansion of the child tax We have seen private citizens, under
credit to help lift children and families was not enough for them. They knew
the guise of protecting lives, threaten we needed to put gender equality into
out of poverty, and provides paid-leave abortion providers, including assassi-
tax credits to help more women stay in our Constitution.
nating physicians that provide abor- So, these women, among them my
the workforce. tions.
It also makes the investments needed relative Alice Paul, wrote the equal
And then there are the angels on the rights amendment. It was first intro-
to safely reopen schools and keep the
ground who, day in and day out, pro- duced in Congress in 1923 in celebration
childcare industry afloat so women and
tect our precious right to reproductive of the 75th anniversary of the Seneca
families can pay for care and get back
freedom. Falls Convention, the first women’s
to work.
With this background, I want to rights convention in our country. It
And with the inclusion of $1,400 stim-
highlight a courageous woman in my was introduced in the House by Rep-
ulus checks per family member and ex-
hometown of West Palm Beach, Flor- resentative Daniel Anthony, nephew of
tended unemployment assistance,
ida, who has made and continues to the great suffragist leader, Susan B.
women can finally regain their footing
make history as a great champion of Anthony, to honor her work, as well as
as equal partners and breadwinners.
Yet, even among these many chal- women’s reproductive rights. She is the work of many others, like the great
lenges women have faced over this last one of the bravest people I know, some- suffrage leader Elizabeth Cady Stan-
year, we cannot overlook that, for the one I am proud to call a friend. Her ton, also of New York.
first time in history, we have sworn in name is Mona Reis. Today, during Women’s History
a Madam Vice President. The historic Mona’s mission began early on in Month, we honor these women as con-
inauguration of Vice President Harris life, as a teenager. Six years before Roe stitution-makers. But verbal praise
will inspire countless girls to higher v. Wade, she participated in a Florida’s alone is not enough. We must also
ambitions, and it marks a milestone Girls State program that gives teen carry out their wishes. Because now, a
for all women of color whose work, girls an opportunity to run the Florida full 100 years later, the equal rights
leadership, and vision went unrecog- State Legislature, and she actually in- amendment is still not part of the U.S.
nized for far too long. troduced a bill to legalize abortion in Constitution.
In the Jewish faith, one of our most the State. Of course, it didn’t pass. I thank JACKIE SPEIER and all the
important tenets is the concept of l’dor But this was just the beginning of a women and like-minded men in this
v’dor—from generation to generation. lifelong career and a commitment to Congress that voted to move the equal
It is our responsibility to lift up the protecting a woman’s right to choose, rights amendment forward.
women of tomorrow and ensure that from working at the first outpatient Eighty-five percent of U.N. member
the world provides every opportunity abortion clinic established in Florida states have constitutions that explic-
for them to succeed. in the 1970s to, now, building her own itly guarantee equality for women and
This Women’s History Month, while outpatient clinic, the Presidential girls. These constitutional guarantees
we honor and remember the women Women’s Center, 41 years ago. have enabled national legal reforms
who have carried us through this and She has been fighting to make sure that eliminated discriminatory laws
other past national calamities, we also that all women, no matter their age, and helped usher in new laws pro-
celebrate that the shoulders we now race, or economic status, are able to tecting girls and women. Where once
stand on provide an even clearer vision access full reproductive care, including the U.S. was a leader on gender equal-
of the equity and fairness for which we abortion. ity, when it comes to our Constitution,
all strive. Her clinic has treated more than half we are now far, far behind.
Women are the changemakers, the vi- a million women for things like pre- Today, we must fulfill the hope of
sionaries, and the leaders of the future. natal care, HTDs, family planning, and our suffragist foremothers and make
Today, we celebrate a world in which pregnancy termination. equality a reality in our Nation’s most
my two daughters and all young girls This has been a fulfilling but some- fundamental document.
everywhere have bold, limitless visions times dangerous mission. Every week I must say, throughout this struggle
and dreams that are now truly pos- for 40 years, the clinic is surrounded by I have always said: Where are the
sible. protesters who taunt patients as they women? When I walk around the Mall,
Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentle- enter for care. they have museums for everything, but
woman for her leadership. In 2005, her clinic was burned to the not women. It is hard to empower
Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I ground in an arson attack, but she has women if we don’t even recognize
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
yield to the gentlewoman from Florida continued to provide high-quality and them. So this Women’s Caucus put in a
(Ms. LOIS FRANKEL), my co-chair. compassionate care despite the fact bill to create a national women’s mu-
Ms. LOIS FRANKEL of Florida. Mr. that she has had to endure so much. seum on the mall. I thought this would
Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for Again, I want to thank the gentle- be easy. It took us two decades to fi-
yielding, my sister in good trouble. woman for allowing me to talk today. nally pass it last year, but it is now
This is Women’s History Month, a It is an honor to recognize Mona going to be built. It was a priority of
time to reflect the gains women have Reis, an unsung heroine who continues this caucus, and we made it happen.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:21 Mar 18, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.062 H17MRPT1
H1486 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2021
I just want to close by saying that many trails. She instilled in her three House and Senate. And guess what?
our Smithsonian Women’s History Mu- girls that women are equal to men, She was the first woman ever to be in
seum will inspire visitors of all ages from day one. that body. She was a groundbreaker.
and all genders for generations to She was one of the first 12 Black stu- In 1964, 5 years after Hawaii became a
come. dents to integrate the University of State, Patsy ran for the United States
I am so glad to join my colleagues for Texas at El Paso. She was the first Congress, the first woman of color and
tonight’s Special Order to celebrate the Black female civilian at Fort Bliss, the first Asian American and the first
historical achievements of women and Texas, to work there for years, and she woman to represent Hawaii.
to look forward to creating a more was the first in so many segregated She championed early childhood edu-
equal future for all and preserving this places. cation, introduced the first childcare
history and the contributions of But you know what? She told my sis- bill in Congress, and she was a
women in the new Smithsonian wom- ters and me that ‘‘can’t’’ is not in the groundbreaker by introducing title IX.
en’s museum, which is now going to be dictionary and that we can fulfill our This was legislation that itself was
built on the mall due to this Congress dreams. But in doing that, we have to groundbreaking. An amendment to the
and this Women’s Caucus. break these barriers so that others can Higher Education Act, title IX, ensured
I thank all of my colleagues that enter, and she insisted that we open that women could not be excluded from
helped this happen and helped the pas- the doors for other women and girls. participating in school activities or
sage of the ERA today. It is so important that we celebrate participating in collegiate athletics.
Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I Women’s History Month and honor the Believe me, this was not an easy bill to
can’t wait for that museum. women trailblazers who came before pass.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle- us. Not only should we celebrate That same year, she actually did run
woman from California (Ms. LEE), an- women, but we should also ensure that for President. That was about 2 years
other leader and fighter for women’s they are protected and granted equal- before Shirley Chisolm did. A very
rights. ity. I can’t think of a better way to short race. She was an anti-Vietnam
Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, honor Women’s History Month than for war candidate. Then she dropped out to
first of all, I would like to thank the this body to pass bills to guarantee and run for Senate and lost that race.
Democratic Women’s Caucus, Congress- enshrine women’s equality. It is a But she came back to the United
women Frankel, Speier, and Lawrence, shame we have to do that. States Congress to serve once again. I
for hosting this Special Order on Wom- One important action we can take to have to tell you that I had the pleas-
en’s History Month. do that is to remove barriers to ratify- ure—when I came here in 1999, Patsy
I want to thank Congresswoman ing the equal rights amendment. I have Mink was here, a fierce and tiny
BRENDA LAWRENCE for insisting that to thank my good friend, Congress- woman whom you could not resist.
Black women and women of color be woman JACKIE SPEIER, for her leader- I want to say today that we need to
seen in this body. ship on these efforts. It is way past lift the name of Patsy Mink higher.
Last year, we celebrated the centen- time we do that. People don’t know who she is or who
nial of the ratification of the 19th For 244 years, women have not been
she was or what she accomplished for
Amendment, which gave some women able to claim the full protections and
women. I am determined that we will
the right to vote. We know that women opportunities afforded by the Constitu-
do something in this House of Rep-
tion. Women and girls face a dev-
of color were not able to vote until dec- resentatives to acknowledge and honor
astating wage gap, gender-based vio-
ades later, and Black women fought the great work of Patsy Mink.
lence, inadequate access to healthcare,
until they got suffrage in 1965. Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I
pregnancy discrimination, sexual har-
I am proud that this January, my yield to the gentlewoman from North
assment, the list goes on. Yet, our Con-
bill, with the support of both Repub- Carolina (Ms. ADAMS), who has been a
stitution does not explicitly protect
licans and Democrats here in this body trailblazer in her own right.
them, and women of color have had to
and in the Senate, passed. It is called Ms. ADAMS. Mr. Speaker, I want to
fight twice as hard.
the Women’s History and Nineteenth I thank Congresswoman BRENDA thank the gentlewoman from Michigan
Amendment Centennial Quarter Dollar LAWRENCE for leading the Special and all of the chairs and the co-chairs
Coin Program Act, and it was signed Order tonight. It is an important mo- of this committee.
into law. This measure will ensure that ment for women in this country. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the
prominent women from American his- Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I women of the United States House of
tory can be honored on our circulating want to thank Congresswoman LEE for Representatives for Women’s History
quarter dollar coins. being a voice for women year after year Month. This Women’s History Month
The currency we use is one of the after year. marks the 101st year of women’s suf-
most important shared ways that we Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentle- frage in the United States.
have in memorializing what is impor- woman from Illinois (Ms. SCHA- Despite the fact that women have
tant to us as Americans. Making sure KOWSKY), who has been one of our fight- had the right to vote for 101 years, we
that prominent American women are ers from the beginning. still don’t have equal justice under the
featured on our coins is an important Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I law. That is why earlier today, we
step in recognizing the contributions want to begin my remarks about Wom- passed a resolution to remove the arbi-
women have made in furthering civil en’s History Month with a little quiz. trary deadline for the ratification of
rights and making our country a more Who was the first woman of color to the equal rights amendment, because
equitable place. serve in this body, in the United States there is no expiration date on equality.
As the mint solicits public input for House of Representatives? Yet, to this day, women are still paid
these coins, it is my hope that diverse I think I hear somebody saying less for our work, face workplace har-
American women will be chosen and maybe it was Shirley Chisolm. Shirley assment, and are discriminated
depicted, celebrating our Nation’s lead- Chisolm certainly was a against, simply because of who we are.
ers, thinkers, and innovators. groundbreaking leader, but she was not Women who work full-time, year-
Last election also brought a record the first woman of color. It was a round, still make 82 cents on the dollar
number of women in Congress, and woman named Patsy Mink. for men’s earnings. Fighting against
there are, I believe, 120 women now in Patsy Takemoto Mink was born in these disparities and ensuring our Fed-
the House. I know my mentor, the first the territory of Hawaii in 1927. She be- eral Government and policies are re-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
African-American woman elected to came a lawyer at the University of Chi- flective of the whole country is why
Congress, Congresswoman Shirley cago. That is my hometown. Not fre- having women at every level of govern-
Chisolm, would be so proud. Yes, we quent for women to do that. In fact, ment is so important, in our House,
brought our folding chairs, but I have she couldn’t get a job, so she set up her State houses, and, yes, even in the
to just tell you, we are here to stay. own practice. White House.
I salute my late mother, Mildred Par- But she got really interested in poli- So this month, in particular, we draw
ish Massey tonight, who blazed so tics, and she served in the territorial strength and inspiration from those
VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:21 Mar 18, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00070 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.064 H17MRPT1
March 17, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1487
who came before us and those remark- stood how central the vote was to thankful for the work that women do
able women working among us today, achieving equity and representation for to help us thrive here at home and
from Shirley Chisolm, the first Black our communities, making calls to mo- across the globe.
woman to serve in Congress; to NANCY bilize voters from her hospice bed. She This week I had the opportunity to
PELOSI, the first and only woman was a Democrat until she died. speak with four amazing women who
Speaker of the House; to KAMALA HAR- My mother, Manuelita de Atocha are fighting for change in my commu-
RIS, the first female, first African Lucero Leger, was punished for speak- nity in Georgia’s Sixth Congressional
American, and first South Asian Amer- ing Spanish in the schoolyard. She District.
ican Vice President in United States took this bigotry and turned it into ad- Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid
history. She was sworn in by the first vocacy, and she and my father helped has become the first African American
Latina Supreme Court Justice, Sonia pass the 1973 New Mexico Bilingual and first woman to serve in her posi-
Sotomayor. Multicultural Education Act because tion on the Board of Commissioners.
A hundred years ago, only one she knew that language was so essen- Aixa Pascual has dedicated her ca-
woman, Alice Mary Robertson, was tial to ‘‘our culture and heritage,’’ reer to engage and advocate for Geor-
elected to serve in Congress. Currently, ‘‘nuestra cultura y herencia,’’ and iden- gia’s Latino population.
a record 144 women were elected to this tity. And after 15 years of teaching,
Congress, with 120 women in the House New Mexico also claims Dolores Charisse Davis joined the Cobb County
of Representatives alone. Huerta, who proudly taught us that, School Board to implement ideas that
‘‘yes, it can,’’ ‘‘si, se puede.’’ she learned from her experience as an
b 2015 educator.
I close with New Mexico’s beloved
I am proud to say that when I was daughter, Secretary Deb Haaland of Dr. Colleen Kelley, a physician at
elected and sworn in in 2013, I became Emory University School of Medicine,
the Pueblo of Laguna. New Mexico has
the 100th woman. However, there is has worked on the Moderna vaccine
shed tears of joy over her confirmation.
still a lot of work to be done; 144 out of trial at Grady Hospital.
She takes to the Department of the In- I truly want to thank these incred-
535 Members is just 25 percent. That is terior a fierce voice borne of resilience
just not what our country looks like. ible women for all of the amazing work
and the love of community and our that they have done in our community,
Women make up over 50 percent of this Earth which she inherited from the 34
Nation. because it not only serves my commu-
generations of New Mexican women be- nity, my district, Georgia, but also the
Women’s History Month is a re-
fore her. rest of the Nation.
minder of the importance and the ur- Women’s history is still unfolding,
gency of that work and the need for us I wish everyone a truly happy, happy
for we have hard work ahead of us, Women’s History Month. But I have to
to continue breaking those glass ceil- don’t we? Women of color, especially,
ings. honestly say, as I am sitting here
are disproportionately impacted by the today listening to all of my colleagues
Mrs. LAWRENCE. I thank the gentle-
pandemic, health disparities, and eco- talk about the amazing women that we
woman and thank her for being the
nomic hardship. So I am so thankful to know and amazing women who have
100th woman to enter into Congress.
I now yield to the gentlewoman from be here with my ‘‘sisters,’’ ‘‘hermanas’’ done so much work throughout the
New Mexico (Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ). to celebrate our history and to recom- course of history, I would be remiss if
Mr. Speaker, how much time is re- mit ourselves to the hard work we have I did not mention my own mother,
maining, please? ahead of us. Wilma Cecelia Holman. I owe her such
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- Mrs. LAWRENCE. I thank the gentle- a great debt of gratitude because she
tlewoman has 31 minutes remaining. woman so much. We are standing on was one of the very first women, Black
Ms. LEGER FERNANDEZ. I thank the shoulders of Deb Haaland and my women in Illinois to receive a master’s
Mrs. LAWRENCE so much for gathering amazing mentor and friend, MARCIA in nursing and to actually teach nurs-
us all here tonight in celebration, be- FUDGE, who have left the Halls of Con- ing. So I know that everything that I
cause celebration is what we must do. gress to go to the White House to lead am, all of my courage, my strength,
We must celebrate not just Women’s the administrative staff. my imagination, my creativity, my
History Month, but everything we did I now yield to the gentlewoman from drive, and my willingness to put my
today. We must celebrate that we Georgia (Mrs. MCBATH), a community boots on and get down in the dirt, in
passed the extension of the ERA, that organizer who put her boots on and the trenches for the people that I love
we passed the Violence Against Women walked the streets, and made change, and care for in my community comes
Act, that we passed the American Res- and then blessed us by coming to Con- from her.
cue Plan with all of those wonderful gress to continue the fight. Mrs. LAWRENCE. I thank the gentle-
provisions that will lift women and Mrs. MCBATH. Mr. Speaker, I want woman from Georgia.
children out of poverty. to first and foremost give a great sense I know there is a tradition that says,
I come from a place where for many of thanks and debt of gratitude to my as long as you say the names of your
years they didn’t give us the vote, they colleague, BRENDA LAWRENCE, for forefathers, they will never leave you.
didn’t give us statehood, and there was bringing this Special Order hour today, So I just want to introduce into the
much discrimination. But it was also a as we are really celebrating woman- RECORD Etta Cranford, who was my
place where women and women of color hood. That is truly what we are doing grandmother. At the age of 55, she in-
have a long and proud history of trans- tonight. herited a 3-year-old and 5-year-old
formative leadership, and I honor a few Mr. Speaker, this month we celebrate when my mother died, and she gave ev-
of them today. the amazing and just absolutely inspi- erything she had until her death to en-
One hundred years ago the suffragist rational women that are all around us. sure that I would be a strong Black
Adelina Otero-Warren helped lead the As it has been said over and over again, woman in America.
charge to ratify the 19th amendment in you know, so many amazing women re- I yield to the gentlewoman from
New Mexico. After her success, she be- side right here in this body, and I have Pennsylvania (Ms. SCANLON).
came the first Latina to ever run for to personally say, I have never met in Ms. SCANLON. Mr. Speaker, I thank
Congress. Unfortunately, she wasn’t my lifetime a greater number of coura- Representative LAWRENCE for bringing
successful, but 100 years later I am the geous and intelligent and just amazing us together for this Special Order hour.
first Latina to represent my district. women that are so committed to de- In honor of Women’s History Month,
In my family, my grandmother, Isa- mocracy and protecting their constitu- I rise to celebrate the League of
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
bel Lopez Leger helped to integrate the ents and their communities, and I feel Women Voters nonpartisan work to en-
segregated city of Las Vegas, New Mex- very humbled and honored to actually courage active and informed participa-
ico, refusing to move when the neigh- get to serve with each and every one of tion in our democracy since 1920.
bors realized she was a small, Brown, them. Founded shortly before the ratification
Spanish-speaking Hispana. Whether it be a mother or a scientist, of the 19th amendment, the League has
My big grandma, as we called her a Congresswoman or the Vice President always believed in women’s power to
Ganga, Abelina Romero Lucero, under- of the United States, we are eternally help create a more perfect democracy.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:21 Mar 18, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00071 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.065 H17MRPT1
H1488 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE March 17, 2021
In recent years, the League of I also want to point out that all three years as a counselor, children’s thera-
Women Voters of Pennsylvania has women from the North Carolina delega- pist, teacher, public health researcher,
worked to combat 21st century voter tion participated, and that is true sis- and epidemiologist. Most recently, Dr.
suppression tactics, including strict terhood. Reed has served in one of the hospital
voter ID laws and extreme gerry- I rise today to highlight an extraor- systems in my community, St. Luke’s
mandering. dinary North Carolinian in honor of University Health Network, first as
In 2018, the Pennsylvania Supreme Women’s History Month, Reverend senior director of epidemiology and
Court issued a decision in the League Nancy Petty. strategy and now as vice president of
of Women Voters v. Pennsylvania that Nancy is a trailblazer in the commu- community health.
declared our congressional districts nity. As a member of the LGBTQ com- Dr. Reed has been instrumental in
had been so extremely gerrymandered munity and the faith community, she keeping our community informed
that they violated our State constitu- has championed marriage equality and throughout the pandemic. Dr. Reed has
tion. In doing so, that decision created brought these welcoming ideas to her been particularly incisive when speak-
districts, including mine, that are own church, Raleigh’s historic and pro- ing about the disproportionate impact
more compact, contiguous, and con- gressive Pullen Memorial Baptist of COVID on various communities
stitutional. The League of Women Vot- Church. I worshipped virtually with throughout the Seventh District, help-
ers’ decision paved the way for the Pullen just last Sunday. ing all of us recognize and understand
election of four women, myself in- A kind and compassionate person, how rapidly and drastically the stakes
cluded, to serve in our State’s congres- Nancy often preaches inclusivity and can change depending on a person’s life
sional delegation at a time when there understanding. She has focused on fa- circumstances.
were none. cilitating interfaith dialogue with Ra- By grounding every conversation in
From the first suffragists through leigh’s Muslim community and has easy-to-understand data, Dr. Reed has
the present day, I want to applaud the partnered with the Jewish community made sure that officials at all levels
League of Women Voters for its ongo- on social justice advocacy. have a shared understanding of con-
ing work to empower voters and defend She truly represents the best of our stituents’ lived reality and the chal-
our democracy. community, and I am honored to call lenges they face, particularly the stark
Mrs. LAWRENCE. I now yield to the racial and economic disparities that
her a friend and a neighbor. She has in-
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. have only grown during the pandemic.
spired a generation by her example to
MANNING), a woman who has made a Still, throughout it all, Dr. Reed’s
treat others the way you would want to
difference. I am looking forward to the warm and calm delivery has helped
be treated.
brilliance of her future. soften the blow of what was at times
Ms. MANNING. I would like to thank I am so pleased to recognize Rev-
devastating news. Her work has helped
my colleague from my hometown for erend Petty for this Women’s History
mobilize my entire community around
holding this Special Order and for all Month and the example she sets for us
the shared mission of taking care of
she has done on behalf of women. all.
our own and putting the most vulner-
Mr. Speaker, I rise tonight to cele- Mrs. LAWRENCE. I thank the gentle-
able among us first.
brate Women’s History Month by high- woman from North Carolina. To Dr. Reed and women frontline
lighting the multiple and irreplaceable I now yield to the gentlewoman from workers in every corner of my commu-
roles that women play in our commu- Pennsylvania (Ms. WILD), our final nity, including many low-wage workers
nities. speaker tonight, who came to Congress who still don’t have the support or pay
Generations of women have worked with a mission. She has made her voice they need, I stand with you. All of us
to balance jobs with raising children heard, and she has made such a dif- stand with you today and every day.
and caring for aging loved ones. This ference. We welcome her as not only a Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, may
isn’t new. Women have always dis- woman Member of Congress but as an I inquire how much time I have re-
proportionately shouldered the burden amazing Representative. maining.
of caring for family. But for the first b 2030 The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen-
time, this pandemic has highlighted tlewoman from Michigan has 14 min-
the toll these various roles take on Ms. WILD. Mr. Speaker, so many of utes remaining.
women, as so many have been forced to the leaders we hear about are public Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I
leave the workforce to care for others. figures, elected officials, people with want to take this moment to thank ev-
Over the last year, 2.3 million women loud voices in the community, but eryone who spoke tonight.
have left the workforce, a nearly 3 per- there are so many other kinds of lead- I want everyone to know that women
cent drop in female participation in ers. In particular, in connection with are making so many strides. We are
the labor force. Several factors have this month’s Women’s History Month, I currently on target to send women to
contributed to this drop, but none rise to pay tribute to some who are not the Moon. We are on target to make
more than the closing of childcare fa- often noticed, the extraordinary sure that women continue to be leaders
cilities and schools. women who have battled the COVID in education and healthcare. I am
The American Rescue Plan is helping pandemic on its front lines in my com- proud to say that not only do we have
women recover from this pandemic and munity and across our Nation. a woman as our Vice President, but we
return to work by bolstering the This historic crisis has devastated also have a woman as our amazing
childcare sector, increasing the child my community and communities in Speaker of the House. We have six
tax credit, expanding paid leave, and every corner of our country. More than chairs of our congressional committees
safely reopening schools. 530,000 of our fellow Americans have headed by women. We also have over,
We must treat women with dignity died. Millions have lost their jobs. Un- as I said, 194 women in Congress cur-
and respect and put into place systems precedented numbers of children and rently.
that allow women to care for their families have faced hunger. With Women’s History Month, some-
families and excel at work. I proudly Women have experienced a dispropor- times the men will roll their eyes in
voted to support the American Rescue tionate share of these converging cri- the back of their head and say: Women,
Plan because it is an important step in ses. As a larger share of frontline work- why do you need a month? Because, so
the right direction. ers, they have risen to the occasion, often, the strides and hard work that it
Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, I now putting the health and safety of their took for us to accomplish what was
yield to the gentlewoman from North neighbors ahead of their own. given to privileged men are often over-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
Carolina (Ms. ROSS). One woman in my community, the looked.
Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Rep- Greater Lehigh Valley of Pennsyl- I am proud to stand here today to
resentative LAWRENCE for her leader- vania, has done everything she can to lead this Special Order hour to honor
ship and for organizing this Special make sure these heroes and our most the women, as Congresswoman WILD
Order hour on this incredible night in vulnerable neighbors are not forgotten. said, the ones who often don’t get a
this incredible month of Women’s His- Dr. Rajika Reed has served the people platform, don’t get a mic, and they just
tory Month. of our community for more than 20 do the work every day.
VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:21 Mar 18, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00072 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.067 H17MRPT1
March 17, 2021 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1489
Women are the predominant group of people cross our border illegally, vio- trek to this country. That statistic is
educators. If you are educated in Amer- late our sovereignty, break our laws, from Doctors Without Borders. Chil-
ica, you were probably touched by a and then just be released into the inte- dren are used as a passport, trafficked
woman. Those who are in hospitals and rior of our country with no testing and by these cartels. We have empowered
went through COVID and all the suf- no screening. these cartels. This is a disaster on so
fering, the caregivers and nurses are In Texas, Mr. Speaker, we are coming many levels, and I am glad my col-
predominantly women. back. We have folks back to work. Kids leagues are here to express these same
We all owe a debt of gratitude to the are in school. My kids are in school. We sentiments in their own words.
mother who gave birth to us. We are feel normal again, and we are blessed Mr. Speaker, I will end with this. It
often in the kitchens and other places to be in a State that puts a premium is clear there is a cause and effect here.
that women are such strong leaders, on individual liberty and personal re- It is clear that policies have con-
but now we have women in the C sponsibility. We have worked hard to sequences. They incent behavior, and
suites. We have women manufacturing get to where we are now. the behavior is causing chaos at the
and designing. We have women in every We didn’t like everything that was border.
area of America working. done to us by our government. We I believe this President is obsessed.
The only thing that any woman didn’t like all the protocols and man- This is just a fundamental question,
wants is the opportunity to have a seat dates, but we did the best job we could why our President would allow this to
at the table to be able to show her bril- for the sake of our fellow Americans. happen. I believe he is obsessed with
liance. As my grandmother told me, Now, we have the potential for a flare- undoing anything that has the name
never apologize for your hard work, up in the pandemic because our hos- ‘‘President Trump’’ on it, regardless of
your brilliance, or your skills and tal- pitals are going to be overwhelmed its merits. I believe he is equally ob-
ents that you have been blessed with. again. sessed with placating the left and their
You use them, and you do a good thing Our schools are already overwhelmed radical agenda. I have come to that
with them. as they try to do right by their stu- conclusion.
And as John Lewis said, get in good dents, let them come into the class- Mr. Speaker, we are going to speak
trouble. The suffragists taught us that room, have that support structure, to this. We are going to tell the truth.
the good trouble they went through knowing that to close your doors on We are going to lay out the facts. We
gave us the right to vote in America. these kids is to close a bright future are going to call on our President to do
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance for them. It is to lock them out of their the right thing and prioritize the
of my time. greatest potential and to give them American people and their safety and
f grief and all kinds of heartache and security.
mental health concerns. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman
MANAGING THE CRISIS ON THE We have our police, who have been from Virginia (Mr. GOOD).
SOUTHERN BORDER disparaged with cries to defund the po- Mr. GOOD of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under lice. They would be dismantled if the thank my distinguished colleague and
the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- bill that passed the House supported by fellow Member from Texas for yielding.
uary 4, 2021, the gentleman from Texas the Democrats ever became law and Our country’s future will forever be
(Mr. ARRINGTON) is recognized for 60 ripped away the tools that they have to changed based on how we manage or
minutes as the designee of the minor- not only keep our community safe but refuse to manage Biden’s border crisis.
ity leader. to protect them in the process. We And, yes, it is a crisis.
Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I have stripped them—or would if the Steady merit-based legal immigra-
stand here on behalf of the freedom- bill passed—of their legal liability pro- tion is stabilizing. It provides a tal-
loving members of the Republican tections. All the while, we are putting ented pool of workers, effectively per-
Study Committee, the conservative more pressure on our local law enforce- mits patriotic assimilation, and en-
conscience of the GOP Conference, and ment to do the job that the Federal riches our culture. We can debate how
the largest caucus with over 150 mem- Government under this Commander in best to achieve those objectives and
bers and our friend and fearless leader Chief has failed to do. what immigration levels or numbers
JIM BANKS from the Hoosier State. The Commander in Chief is supposed are in the best interests of our Nation
Mr. Speaker, we come to this Cham- to provide for the common defense. He and our citizens, but what is not open
ber with grave concerns, with profound is supposed to be the exemplar for rule for honest debate, or at least debate
grief over what is happening to this of law. He is the chief enforcer of the that honestly places the interests, safe-
great Nation at the southern border, law. What kind of example is our Presi- ty, and security of American citizens
along the border of States like my dent setting to just throw caution to first, is the need to secure our border
home State of Texas. My citizens are the wind and let folks come into this and eliminate illegal immigration.
on the front lines, and the citizens of country who are not our citizens, President Biden’s open border poli-
the Lone Star State and border States prioritizing them over the safety and cies threaten our security, overtax our
are at ground zero of this self-inflicted health of our citizens? resources, jeopardize public health, and
crisis. I got to hear some of my colleagues turn every town into a border commu-
Just because the President won’t ac- express concerns over women’s rights nity.
knowledge that there is a crisis doesn’t and protecting women from abuse. We As others have said, without a bor-
mean that it doesn’t exist. Mr. Speak- all support that, and our hearts go out der, we don’t have a country; we have
er, it is raging out of control. It is an to any victims of abuse in this country a landmass, one that is currently under
unmitigated disaster, and as I said, it or any country. But meanwhile, be- invasion. That is an invasion that is
is self-inflicted. cause of the policies that have been with complicit approval from the
Reinstating catch and release while passed by this President, reinstating President’s policies and the support of
we are recovering from a pandemic? catch and release, empowering sanc- the Democratic Party, and this is espe-
Are you kidding me? We have put man- tuary cities, repealing the stay in Mex- cially egregious and inexcusable.
dates and restrictions on the American ico policies, halting funding for the
people who have sacrificed by staying border wall, all of these things have b 2045
at home. Some have lost their jobs. sent a message that we are open for il- The fact is that, in the 56 days since
They don’t know how they are going to legal business. President Biden was sworn in on Janu-
SSpencer on DSK126QN23PROD with HOUSE
make ends meet for their family. If you ask the cartels, business has ary 20, illegal immigration has surged
Everybody stepped up, Mr. Speaker. never been better. We are lining their and our southern border has been over-
They did what they were told to do in pockets while they exploit vulnerable run.
some cases, but they all acted respon- people who are hopeless. They are We are not stopping illegal immi-
sibly for the sake of our country and being exploited. grants based on their inability to pro-
their fellow man and the country that Mr. Speaker, one out of every three vide for themselves and not be a burden
they love. And now, we are just letting women are sexually assaulted on their on our economy, our social services,
VerDate Sep 11 2014 09:21 Mar 18, 2021 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00073 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K17MR7.068 H17MRPT1
File and source
- File
- CREC_crec-2021-03-17_crec-2021-03-17-pt1-pgh1484.pdf
- Size
- 282,775 bytes
- SHA-256
- 5d7794b9571bb5c59d3df78fd85a29d20067d5799b27ed2ef12301b305c11506
- Original
- www.govinfo.gov