H2042 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 1, 2004 COMMEMORATING WOMEN’S find our rightful place in this body and Or let us take another signature HISTORY MONTH in our country. issue: the Violence Against Women The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under b 1845 Act. These programs are cut for next the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- year $22 million over what was in the We certainly do not suffer, as many budget for this year. uary 7, 2003, the gentlewoman from the of our sisters do around the world. For District of Columbia (Ms. NORTON) is Mr. Speaker, I can only hope that example, in Kuwait, one of our allies, these programs that I am going to go recognized for 60 minutes as the des- women cannot even stand for election ignee of the minority leader. through get the attention of the Con- to any office. gress and the appropriators and that Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, as March Mr. Speaker, I was a Member of the they come to their senses and put some slips away, a number of women in the House when the so-called ‘‘Year of the House did not want to let the year go of this money back. Woman’’ was informally proclaimed. Republicans have been grandstanding by without commemorating Women’s That was the year when the confirma- History Month. We recognize this is about an important issue that concerns tion of Justice Clarence Thomas all of us. I say ‘‘grandstanding’’ be- April 1. This is no April fool’s joke. brought women forward, given the con- cause the way to indicate that it mat- Women are a very serious concern of troversy surrounding his nomination, ters to you is, of course, to put just a the women who will come forward this that a man who had been accused of little money in it. I am talking about evening. sexual harassment was nevertheless trafficking in women and children, We note first the progress women put on the bench. It sent a whole bunch where women and children are essen- around the world, our sisters in soli- of women to the House and to the Sen- tially held virtually as slaves. Well, darity, are making; and then we com- ate, more than before and more than the Bush budget simply eliminates the pare that progress to the progress of since. Some of us, Mr. Speaker, I must program altogether. American women who serve in the leg- say, are inclined to call 2004 the ‘‘Year By now it is gospel that the best islatures of their countries. of the Forgotten Woman,’’ and we say straight line for reducing juvenile According to the data used inter- so because we look for concrete evi- crime is to give kids something to do nationally, women are considered to be dence of where women are going in our after school. Well, the President’s at an acceptable threshold when they country today. And for that, I think budget provides half of the promised are about 30 percent of their legisla- the best place to look is in the Presi- funding for after-school programs. tures. There are only 14 countries that dent’s budget. qualify. The United States of America The budget document is the best evi- What about Head Start? Here is a is not one of them. We are pleased at dence of the policy of the President in program that is surely not one of the the increase in women, especially in office. I think that the American peo- favorites of the President, even though the House and in the Senate; but we ple for whom women’s rights, the children and education has been a sig- are not where we should be, particu- progress of women and children means nature issue for him. He has begun the larly given the ideals that our country something would be absolutely aston- gutting of the Head Start program by professes. ished by what the President’s 2005 pro- eliminating the health and nutritional Interestingly, women made their posed budget tells us about his prior- aspects that is itself a signature of the greatest strides in Rwanda last year, ities when it comes to women’s con- program. We bring low-income chil- and that may well be because there is cerns. So I want to start where the dren, we combine the services they a fixed percentage of women required American people would start in evalu- need in preschool by the time they go in their legislature. But this should be ating where this President stands on to school, so that they are ready to said of Rwanda: This is one of the matters affecting women and their learn. world’s most tragic nations, which suf- children. They would start with where There will also be no educational fered from violence. Perhaps having he puts his money. They would start services in Head Start. Just a moment. women in the leadership will help send with his budget. I thought this was the education Presi- to that country the notion that vio- As I look at that budget, it seems as dent. I thought the whole point is to lence, most of it perpetrated by men in if the President went on a search-and- begin education and the most rigorous that country in one of the worst cases destroy mission, focused heavily on the education that a child can take accord- of genocide in the 20th century, is no programs that affect women most. I ing to age as soon as possible, so that longer acceptable. looked, because I saw many programs we meet this goal that by grade 4 every Mr. Speaker, just a couple nights ago that might tell us something about child can read. How are we going to do Women’s Policy, Incorporated, cele- where an elected official stands on a that if we do not begin educational brated its 10th anniversary. This is a given subject. I looked at signature services in Head Start, particularly for privately financed organization from issues for women, issues that are par- low-income children who, of course, are which many Members of the House and ticularly identified with women and and continue to be the furthest behind? Senate gather the information that their children, although I am sure my Speaking about behind, if the Presi- they need to keep track of women’s good friends and colleagues in this dent had put just a little more money issues and where women need to go as body who are men would be quick to in Head Start, he might have given the far as legislation and other progress is step forward and say that these issues best and biggest boost to his own Leave concerned. mean just as much to them. It is sim- No Child Behind bill. Only 60 percent of It was also the 27th anniversary of ply that women have been at the front the children who are eligible for Head the Congressional Women’s Caucus. It of the line advocating the issues that I Start are covered by Head Start. Put reminded us that it was in 1916 that the am speaking about at the moment. all of those children in there and we first woman came to serve in this Let us take the child care and devel- will begin to see some difference for House, the famed Jeannette Rankin. opment block grant: frozen for the low-income children in school, and No That was 4 years before women even third year in a row. Children are not Child Left Behind can begin to take got the right to vote. I believe that frozen. The numbers continue to come some of the credit for it, because it will says something, Mr. Speaker, about forward. They grow older. They need pick them up, ready to learn. the determination of women to exer- services. So that when we have a 3-year Speaking of No Child Left Behind, cise the vote, that before the Constitu- freeze, it means 3 years of cuts for Mr. Speaker, once again the President tion of their country even gave them child care and development. It, of has simply declined to fund the bill. the vote, as a matter of State law they course, means that we are leaving hun- This has been a huge disappointment sent a representative to this body. dreds of thousands of women in line for for Democrats, because this bill was Today, we have grown from one in child care, holding their kids’ hands passed in a bipartisan fashion on the 1916 to 76 in this House and 14 in the and wondering what in the world they promise that a very difficult issue Senate, well below the 30 percent are going to do, particularly if they are would have the prerequisite funding threshold that the world acknowledges on TANF where the bill this House has and, therefore, a chance to succeed. as a decent percentage. We are still passed says you have to work longer That issue is taking children who are struggling. We are still determined to and have less child care. not learning in school and somehow

VerDate mar 24 2004 06:31 Apr 02, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01AP7.176 H01PT2 April 1, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2043 making it possible for them to learn; well done, women. Let us cut $79 mil- meals to all of the children who are at and not only that, Mr. Speaker, but in- lion from the Small Business Adminis- the schools what are targeted because dicating that they were not going to tration, the chief agency you turn to all the children are in need of good graduate unless they learned. Well, on for help, assistance, and funding. meals. the basis of that promise, this became We want the President to know that And that impacts women because it a bipartisan bill. It overcame many there are many of us in this Congress clearly impacts those women who are doubts and much skepticism. to remind him that 3.8 million women needing supportive services as they are Now the promise of funding has are looking for jobs and cannot find seeking to educate their children. We dropped out of the President’s budget. them. Nobody even talks about wom- know for a fact that we are under siege It has caused consternation in the en’s work anymore. We assume the ob- as relates to choice. And I always say House and in the Senate. But if we vious, that women must work; and in- the choice has no respect for age or in- think that is all it has caused, we need deed, Mr. Speaker, they must. And the come. only go into our own States and hear fact that they cannot find work has a When I say that, this is not a ques- the howls and the cries about No Child greater effect on children than any sin- tion of child-bearing years. It is so Left Behind, its broken promises and gle group who cannot find work be- much a question of humanity and the the difficulties that States are having cause of the disproportionate number respect we have for the dignity of in meeting its goals, precisely because of these women who are heads of house- women to be able to make determina- the promise of funding has not been hold. tions along with their physicians and kept. Mr. Speaker, I have more to say as well their spiritual advisor and their Moving right along, Mr. Speaker, to about women, but I see that one of my family. Even Start. Now here we have not only distinguished colleagues has come to Yet time after time we come to the a woman’s program but a family values the floor and, therefore, I would like to floor of the House with constant under- Congress program. Because, essen- yield to the gentlewoman from Texas mining of the Roe v. Wade decision, tially, what the program does is to put (Ms. JACKSON-LEE) for her comments which is a clear choice. It is not one adult literacy and childhood education on this vital subject. that promotes one aspect of making a and vital parental education all in the Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. decision about an abortion or not. It same package and say, if you put them Speaker, I thank the distinguished gen- does not promote an abortion, does not all together, then we will get what tlewoman from the District of Colum- promote an abortion. What it does is it children need to learn. They will have bia for her perseverance and, as well, gives women the right to choose, the parents who know how to read and who the rightness of her words. right to their own human dignity. have an appreciation for learning. That Let me thank the gentlewoman from Why, then, do we have these constant is the adult literacy part. They will the District of Columbia (Ms. NORTON) battles regarding the partial birth have childhood education, which is fo- for remembering the month of March. abortion? As we speak, right now there cusing on the child itself. And, of The gentlewoman has indicated that are massive lawsuits across the coun- course, the parental education is abso- this is not an April Fool’s joke, that we try by physicians who have felt that lutely essential, because once you have just continued that month a little their whole Hippocratic oath that they know how to parent, you recognize the longer. In fact, what better way to have had to take has now been chal- value of education, and the rest is like- commemorate than to say that the lenged. And the rights of women to ly to take care of itself. issue is so important that if April 1 be- protect their own health has been dam- Well, this program, Mr. Speaker, is comes March 31 and-a-half, or that we aged because of the legislation that eliminated, not cut, but eliminated in begin to say that it is foolish to ignore was, if you will, signed into law by the President’s budget. I do not see the history of women and we do it on those who believe that they must make how we can go home and leave that this day, what an important tribute, decisions for women and take away zero on our record, even though the and we thank the gentlewoman. their individual dignity. President has left it on his. The gentlewoman has aptly laid out, I hope that as we make these points Maternal and child health block and will continue to do so I know this we will be reminded of the historic con- grant, if ever there is funding that gets evening, the misery that we are facing tributions of women. And I can begin the motherhood award of agreement of in light of the President’s budget and, to recite certainly from the early be- everyone, it is that grant: frozen. of course, the need to address the con- ginnings of our history the numbers of Some of the freezes are just plain cerns of child care, of health care, some women who engaged in this process. I cruel. Why would we want to cut off of the issues that women Members of remember the words of Abigail Adams hearing screening for newborns? This the United States Congress have had who said to her husband as he went on program was started because we very high on their agenda, and then to the Constitutional Convention, ‘‘Do learned that if you catch a newborn some of the points that the gentle- not forget the ladies.’’ Unfortunately, I with hard of hearing very early, the woman has made, to cut out the re- think in time we did. chances of correcting it soars. Hearing sources needed for hard to hear chil- Certainly in this country not only screening for newborns wiped out. Can dren, and she mentioned child care, as were women not able to vote, but cer- you hear us, Mr. President? This is not I said. tainly those of us of African American a program to eliminate. It is not very What I would like to do this evening heritage know that we were two-thirds costly. It is very vital. very briefly is to add a personal note to of a person receiving more than a dou- Perhaps the greatest forgotten issue the concerns about maternal and child ble indignity as relates to women. of the Bush administration is health health block grants that have been cut So we know what it is like to care for the uninsured. Twenty million and Head Start that has been cut and, premise, if you will, our respect for of them are women without health in- particularly, child nutrition services, this month of women’s history to the surance. What does the President have which I find particularly important, in- fact that women have been a part of to give to them? A $1,000 tax credit for asmuch as I spent some time in my dis- the history of this Nation for a very individual coverage only. I hope you trict a couple of weeks ago visiting a long time. have a job so the tax credit can help school and participating in their school In doing and recognizing their his- you out. But even this $1,000 tax credit lunch program. tory, I am going to take a moment of will cover only 5 percent of the unin- personal privilege just to cite some of sured. b 1900 the individuals in my community who Women, of course, we are told in this Seeing the joy of the children par- have given of themselves. And I will House, particularly by our Republican ticipating in having a nourishing meal start with words from Barbara Jordan: good friends, are the fastest-growing and the equalizing of that nourishing ‘‘We want to be in control of our lives small business people. Indeed, they are meal by letting all the children have it. whether we are jungle fighters, crafts- about half of the small business people In fact, they gave me an assignment men, company men, gamesmen. We now, they have grown so fast. Why, which said that we should cut out low want to be in control. And when the then, would the President want to say, income and literally just give free government erodes that control, we are

VerDate mar 24 2004 06:31 Apr 02, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01AP7.177 H01PT2 H2044 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 1, 2004 not comfortable.’’ Those are the words actions? And she provides clothing and age them for the special insight that of the Honorable Barbara Jordan who toys for children from Easter to Christ- they bring to leadership in govern- does not fear holding the Constitution mas to Thanksgiving. She has never ment, the sensitivity, and the ability to its most important interpretations taken this attitude that the holiday is to bring peace over war and life over and that is that of freedom and that of for me. She has been out there in the death. the ability to be protected by a Con- front lines for children. Then finally to the international stitution that respects the will of the Ruby Carver, a World War II fighter, peace activists and heads of state that people. someone who was an enlisted woman in happen to be women. Might we encour- And so my tribute is to Barbara Jor- the women’s division in World War II. age you, even though this month is dan who lived amongst us, served the We honored her just a week ago. I am particularly related to the history of United States Congress, one of the first very proud of Ruby Carver, 84 years women in America, might we encour- to be elected from the Deep South, and, young, very proud that she stood as a age you to join us in this international of course, the first African American symbol of women’s involvement in effort of the empowerment of women so since Reconstruction to serve in the World War II. that we can join and link arms fighting Texas Senate. Mayor pro tem Carol Alvarado, who for peace. Whether it is the Pales- Sissy Farentheld who ran for Gov- is now serving us as the mayor pro tem tinian-Israeli conflict, whether it is in ernor in Texas more than 2 decades in the city of Houston and someone Iraq or Afghanistan, or whether it is in ago, who was a pioneering spirit and who is not afraid of empowering His- the conflicts of Africa, South America one who did not in any way diminish panics and African Americans and or Caribbean, we ask the women of the her fight for justice and equality. women and fighting also to improve world to stand up and be counted and Ninfa Laurenzo, a prominent His- the rights of working people. And we join us and link arms to make this panic businesswoman who founded are proud of her leadership. place a better place. Ninfa’s Restaurant that still bears her Dr. Edith Irby Jones, a pioneering I thank the Congresswoman for tak- name, a civic leader, a philanthropist, physician, graduated from the Univer- ing the time to yield to us this evening and someone who understood the im- sity of Arkansas as the first African and taking the time to present to our portance of women’s involvement in American to graduate. Has been in colleagues the importance of women in business. practice for 50 years and has never Ruby Morly. How can I speak about a turned a patient away. the history not only of America, but of community activist, 70-plus years old, I Dr. Natalie Carrol Daily, likewise a the world. know she would not mind me saying. past president of the National Medical I am here tonight, joined by my colleagues Whenever there is a need for a senior Association and someone who has in the Congressional Women’s Caucus, to ask citizen in our community, Ruby Morly fought for doctors and the support of if women are indeed in control of their lives if is there. Medicare and joined me at my Medi- they cannot make their own decisions regard- Dorothy Hubbard who works in my care hearing just a couple of weeks ing their bodies. office, senior citizen, but takes no, if ago. Right now we have an Administration that you will, denial of a senior citizen’s Dr. Wanda Mott, not only a physician actively seeks to undermine a woman’s right right to Medicare and Social Security. but also a scientist, someone who to choose. They falsely claim to be doing this Ivalita Jackson, my mom, who spent knows and is at the cutting edge of in the interest of women and children, citing most of her life as a medical profes- medical procedures for women and has both the mother and child’s well being as jus- sional, as a baby nurse in hospitals, been one of the major doctors of the tifications for their actions. This same Adminis- who understands the importance of Texas Women’s Hospital. tration has frozen the Title X family-planning health care for women. Then we cannot close without ac- program in each budget for the last three Valerie Bennett, a businesswoman knowledging the many, many women years. They have also cut domestic-violence and my aunt, someone who impacted that get up every day to go to work prevention programs and frozen important pro- my life. and certainly those who have made our grams for women and children, including the Sybil Gouden, my aunt, another aca- job, our education opportunities their Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, Head demic background who likewise contin- number one priority, that is, the teach- Start, and child-nutrition services. ers of America, the teachers of Hous- ued to help children, young people seek By contrast, they have proposed more than ton, and the teachers of Texas and the education in higher education and im- doubling funding for unproven, dangerous ‘‘ab- teachers represented by many of the pacted my life. stinence-only’’ programs that censor health in- Representative Senfronia Thompson, teaching organizations. We thank them formation from young people—and instead of the senior member in the State legisla- so very much. supporting programs that help women who ture in Texas who has been a champion Then as I close to be able to thank face violence, they have resorted instead to for human rights and who helped to simply the workers, women who work exploiting the issue for an anti-abortion polit- push into law the hate crimes legisla- every day in all the fields. Women who ical base. Just this afternoon, President Bush tion which is a model for this Nation. sometimes hit the glass ceiling, women signed the so-called ‘‘Unborn Victims of Vio- Representative Ruth McClendon who, who are in corporate management who lence Act.’’ This legislation would, for the first out of San Antonio, is a fighter for jus- have every amount of ability to be time in federal law, recognize an embryo or tice. And we thank her for fighting CEOs and yet have not arrived there; fetus as a separate ‘‘person’’ with rights sepa- against the redistricting undermining women who are in academia and have rate from, and equal to, a pregnant woman. that was going on in the Texas legisla- every reason to be tenured and yet ture. have not arrived; women who are in the Raising awareness must be a high priority, Commissioner Sylvia Garcia, the crafts and have every ability to be fore- America must begin to take this threat very first woman to be elected to the Harris men, supervisors, but yet have not ar- seriously. On April 25, I will be joined by a mil- County Commissioner’s Court, cer- rived; women in the United States lion people who believe that our bodies de- tainly one who believes in women’s military who we are pulling for so that serve our choices, and that we must be in rights who has been an excellence rep- their dignity can be respected and that control of our lives, not the government. resentative of the empowerment of the sexual abuse that we have heard in Marching in front of the Capitol, we will make women. this past week can be corrected so that our voices heard that our right to choose is at Carol Mims Galloway, council mem- all of the military can be accepted for its most precarious point since over 31 years ber, who has championed the rebuild- their talent and be respected for their ago, when Roe versus Wade was decided. ing of neighborhoods. talent, as we do the fine men that are Our message will be clear: we will not tolerate Council Member Ada Edwards, who serving us. And hopefully as the days the persistent government attacks on women’s has fought continuously to engage go on, that they too will continue to health and reproductive rights. young people in the political process. rise in leadership responsibilities. I am pleased that for the first time in its 95 Lorugene Young. What can you say And all of the women that have year history, the National Association for the about a community activist who fights sought political office and still intend Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) not only with her words but with her to seek political office, might I encour- board of directors unanimously endorsed a pro

VerDate mar 24 2004 06:31 Apr 02, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K01AP7.179 H01PT2 April 1, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2045 choice march. The Black Women’s Health Im- produced most candidates, business, for the American Woman and Politics. perative has also signed on. These organiza- education, and law. And by definition, They are at Rutgers University. They tions are part of a growing majority that be- the thousand women and thousand men are part of the Eagleton Institute, and lieve contraceptive education and abortion were equally qualified. These were peo- over the years they have provided us rights for black and minority women must be ple who were at mid- or upper-career with very useful information in moving a priority. Unintended pregnancy rates for Afri- level. They asked them a number of forward to include more women in our can American women is almost three times questions to determine the differences political universe. the rate of Caucasian women, maternal mor- between them. So I thank my colleague from the tality is 4 times higher for African American One of the differences that was really District of Columbia for focusing on women than Caucasians. One out of four Afri- disturbing and chilling to me was that this important issue and for allowing can American women had less involvement when asked about their own qualifica- me to participate tonight. than they would like in decisions affecting their tions, the women in the study were Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, may I health care, with only 73% of African Amer- twice as likely as the men to say about thank the gentlewoman from Illinois ican women receiving first trimester prenatal themselves that they were not quali- for coming forward to inform the care. fied to run for office. Now, as I said, by House of this intriguing study and for By making abortion illegal, we are going to definition these men and women were giving us I think some ammunition harm those who turn to back alleys and home equally qualified. about what our responsibility is. And perhaps even more disturbing, remedies to ‘‘fix’’ their situation, a scenario Women, in fact, need to be asked. It that sense of being not qualified in faced disproportionately by minorities and the seems to me there is some asking that twice the numbers as men ran across underprivileged. We cannot make abortion in- we all need to do; and you consider generations. The younger women were accessible, illegal, or shameful. We must that women are increasingly better as likely to declare themselves not stand up for women’s rights and let them qualified, by education, to hold office make informed choices. I hope you will join qualified as older women. So clearly we have a challenge before because they get more education. You me on April 25th to speak out against these us. What do we do to these qualified wonder what more do they need. injustices. women to make them feel that they I guess it is important information Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I appre- for us all to have, and it is challenging ciate the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. are not so? But there was a hopeful part of that information, and I thank the gentle- JACKSON-LEE ) coming down to offer study. What it said was that the one woman for staying this evening to her comments on this important issue factor that was in some ways the most come forward. at this time, and I appreciate the qual- responsible for someone making the de- PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION ity of those comments. cision to run for office was being asked I am very pleased now to be joined by Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, a pre- to run for office, someone making the the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. vious speaker spoke of the March for suggestion. And they divided those who Women’s Lives that is coming forward SCHAKOWSKY) for whom these issues af- make the suggestion into formal actors fecting women and children have been on April 25 next month. That march is and informal actors. So, in other of priority and importance since she being sponsored by nonpartisan organi- words, if someone is asked by a formal came to Congress. zations, tax-exempt organizations. So actor, that being an elected official, a Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I they come forward not under any polit- party official or a political activist, to really appreciate the opportunity to ical banner, but they do carry a ban- run for office, they are likely to think come here to speak about women’s His- ner. of themselves as candidates or poten- tory Month and thank the gentle- They carry the banner of American tial candidates. woman from the District of Columbia women, and they fear for the right of for providing all of us with this oppor- b 1915 choice that women won only in the last few decades. They fear about the Su- tunity this evening. So to me that said, as a woman who preme Court and whether it will hold They do not call it ‘‘history’’ for is interested in getting more women in- fast or whether it will overturn its own nothing. In general, the history of our volved in leadership positions, what we precedents quickly. Nation and our world has been about need to do is to encourage women, en- ‘‘his’’ story, about men’s story. And it courage young women and women older Today, Mr. Speaker, the case on the is not surprising, as men have written than that to run for office, to put that partial birth abortion ban is being ar- history books and have been considered seed in their head and create really an gued in three separate jurisdictions at the leaders that books are written old girl’s network, if you will, that will the very same time. Here we have the about. bring women along to think of them- determination of some in the Congress And this is not meant in any way as selves as candidates. and some in the country to simply go an anti-male statement, just a fact We also need to, in this 21st century, back to where we were before Roe that most of history is about the lead- explore what are those situations, what versus Wade, and it looks like they will ership of men in our world. is the socialization process that ends not stop, no matter what the Supreme I wanted to just share tonight a up with women not feeling as qualified Court tells them. study that was done very recently by to run for office. The Supreme Court settled this ques- the Center for the American Woman These were women who rated the ac- tion in Stenberg versus Carhart, and and Politics, about why it is that more tivities involved in being a candidate when the Supreme Court speaks, we women do not run for political office. as being something they were even should usually respect the Supreme The premise is that study after study more willing to do than men; and yet Court, because the Supreme Court, has shown that when women run, when it came to that final question, do under the Constitution of the United women win in the same numbers that you see yourself as qualified to run for States, is the final arbiter of constitu- men do. office, twice as many women as men in tional right. That is the difference be- And, yet, if you look at this wonder- this pool said they were not qualified. tween us and many other countries, be- ful body, our august House of Rep- So this is a challenge to us, to men cause the Constitution says you must resentatives, we are about 14 percent and women alike. If we want to have respect certain rights even if the ma- women. And the same is true of the the kind of diversity, if we want to jority does not agree, but of course, United States Senate. And so the ques- have the benefit of women’s leadership, when it comes to choice, the majority tion really is why do we not appear in then we are going to have to build in does agree. greater numbers and why do more the systems that do that and the sup- Of course, late-term abortions are women not run since they have equal port networks that will encourage controversial, and this bill would not opportunity to win? women so that we have the kind of be controversial if it did not overstep. So they did this study and what they equality as we move forward in this Under Roe versus Wade, of course, the did is they created what they called an century. State may regulate the third tri- eligibility pool, 1,000 men and 1,000 So I wanted to share the outcome of mester, but that is not what is at issue women who were from the fields that this wonderful study. It is the Center in Stenberg versus Carhart.

VerDate mar 24 2004 06:31 Apr 02, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A01AP7.135 H01PT2 H2046 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 1, 2004 This law is worded, it would seem, It would seem that by now everybody Nurses have to work on weekends, do deliberately to trap the second tri- would agree that it is time to make not enjoy holidays. It cannot go on this mester as well, the trimester where, of sure that the typical protections in- way forever. An easy way to right that course, women are freer than they volving the groups that are most likely wrong is raise the pay. would be in the final weeks. Under the to experience discrimination would I am an attorney. I have to tell you wording of this law, it is as clear as find their way into the Equal Pay Act. that this profession has been overpaid day that beginning in the 13th week A very important part of the Act since it came into existence. Pay has procedures that are the most com- would keep a person from being pun- nothing to do with the worth of law- monly used could not be used without ished or being fired for discussing her yers. What it does have to do with is risking prosecution. salary or his salary in the workplace that it has been a male profession. I The fatal flaw in the bill, of course, is with others. This is a favorite ruse of joke with my friends who are lawyers that there is no health exception. So many employers. They do not want col- that as there are more women in the no matter how grave the risk to the leagues of one another to know what legal profession we are going to drive health of the woman, a woman would they make because, if they do, women down the wage because it will be seen not be allowed to have an abortion, as might say, I do not know why this man as a woman’s occupation. it turns out, under this bill, beginning is being paid more than I am. Very seriously, the occupations that with the 13th week, as it is worded and A woman should be protected. If she concern me most are occupations that certainly not beyond. goes to a man who is doing a job like the society perhaps most depends upon: I think that the American people are hers or unlike hers and says, could I people to teach our children, nurses depending on a Supreme Court that ask you what is your wage, what is who in a very real sense are more vital will, in fact, respect the constitutional your salary, there is no such protection than doctors today because of the rights the Court itself has indicated now, and a woman could be fired for breadth and depth of the health care are there for women. I want to quote discussing or inquiring of the wage of tasks they perform, social workers be- from what the Supreme Court indeed another colleague. cause there are so many parts of what said in the Stenberg decision to indi- Along with Senator TOM HARKIN, I the society needs that have now inte- cate why I really do not fear that the have introduced the Fair Pay Act. Just grated their skills. law that has just been passed, and in- as the Paycheck Fairness Act updates We are in very deep trouble when deed I think was signed today by the the Equal Pay Act, our bill would up- people abandon these professions. We President, I do not fear that that law date the equal employment oppor- can recruit all we want to. We can will be overturned by this Court. I do tunity, Title VII of the 1964 Civil preach all we want to. The way to get fear we could get a different Court, and Rights Act, so that jobs that have the men and women into these professions that is something that every woman in same skill, effort and responsibility is to pay these professions what they America, when she goes to the polls in would have to be paid the same. are worth. November, should bear in mind. Today, there are women doing work This Court has said the following, Under our bill, a person could sue if, of equal value to the work of men who and I am quoting: in fact, in the same workplace some- are being paid grossly differential sala- ‘‘Using this law some present pros- body in a comparable job was not paid ecutors and future attorneys general ries. For example, a man and a woman for reasons of sex the same as that per- may choose to pursue physicians who both graduate from college at the same son. You would have to prove it. The use the most commonly used method time. He becomes a probation officer. burden would be on you. This would for performing previability, second tri- She becomes a social worker. Guess not change our economic system in any mester abortions. All those who per- who makes the most money? It would way. be very difficult to make the case that form abortion procedures using that b 1930 method must fear prosecution, convic- his job as a probation officer is more It fits right into the way in which tion and imprisonment. The result is difficult than her job as a social work- title 7 requires that you prove dis- an undue burden upon a woman’s right er. crimination, and here you would have to make an abortion decision. We must The reason for the discrimination is to prove that the difference in wage is quickly find the statute unconstitu- that we still have sex segregation of based on discrimination. Because the tional.’’ jobs in our society, jobs that are essen- The court has spoken. Trying to tially for women and jobs that are es- difference in wage can be based on any overturn the Supreme Court does not sentially for men, and the jobs that are number of factors, and the burden work in our system. Let us hope that for women are paid often according to would be on the women. whatever the Court says this time is, gender, as opposed to the job to be In case you think this is a far-out in fact, respected. done. idea, let it be known that 20 States have already done wage studies and ad- EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN Women work in essentially three Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I am a fields: clerical, sales and factory jobs. justed the wages of women State work- former chair of the Equal Employment You will find that where women are ers based on those wage studies that Opportunity Commission, so I cannot bunched together their salaries are showed that the wages of women were let this hour go by without saying a lower than men who do comparable out of whack because they were word about perhaps the right that most jobs. As a result, the society is flailing women. In these States all over the women depend upon today and recog- around looking for women in the tradi- United States, not following any par- nize today and that is the right to tional women’s occupations: teaching, ticular pattern, north, south, east, and equal pay. nursing, social work. Women are flee- west, the wages have been raised for This Congress has not looked at the ing those occupations, for no reason women who were teachers, nurses, cler- Equal Pay Act since it was passed 40 other than they are going where the ical workers, and librarians simply years ago in 1963, more than 40 years money is. Nurses are becoming doctors. based on looking at the skill, effort, ago now, and yet we are in a different Social workers are becoming lawyers. and responsibility of the jobs they per- world, with women with different aspi- Heaven knows who is going into teach- form. rations and jobs totally different from ing today when we most need them. The evidence that women are con- what they were at that time. People who get educated are not tinuing to be paid less is rampant in To that effect, many women and men going to continue to join professions our society. The favorite I would cite is in this body are trying to update the that do not pay them according to Wal-Mart, because it is the largest cor- Equal Pay Act with a Paycheck Fair- what they are worth. Because women poration and the most expanding cor- ness Act. The Paycheck Fairness Act is have filled very vital occupations in poration in our country and women not a very radical piece of legislation. our society, this is dangerous indeed. there make $1.16 per hour less than It would add national origin and race One has only to go into the hospitals of men. Is that why the prices are so low? to the Equal Pay Act. The Equal Pay America to understand what pressure Are they saving on what we spend on Act bars unequal pay on the basis of we are under. We cannot get enough the backs of their own women workers? sex alone. nurses. There are strikes at hospitals. That is worth finding out.

VerDate mar 24 2004 06:31 Apr 02, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K01AP7.182 H01PT2 April 1, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H2047 Mr. Speaker, finally, I want to say a course is what Dr. Height has done for for our children. Women want a secure retire- word about poor women, because there most of her life. She is now 92 years ment, the freedom to make the most of our is so little discussion about women who old. Why America was justified in lives and to make our own choices, and the do not work and want to work. I am awarding her the Congressional Medal chance to shape the future of our Nation. very concerned about the TANF bill. of Honor is she has managed to fight Yet in terms of policies to assist women, we About the most important thing that with great strength for African Amer- are lagging behind. Half of those currently liv- happens to a woman who becomes preg- ican women while preaching the mes- ing in poverty are single mothers. More than nant before marriage is that she wakes sage of inclusion and brotherhood and 3.8 million women are looking for work. up and understands that there is some- sisterhood of all people at the same Women are still paid only 80 cents to a man’s body she is responsible for besides her- time. They are not contrary messages, dollar. And the Republican controlled Con- self. It is an extraordinary awakening but there are few who have been able to gress and the Bush administration continue to that occurs and maturity for such a bring them forward and make them be- wage an assault on our reproductive rights, woman. And I have seen what women lievable to those they reach. believing they can make better choices than are willing to do after the birth of such I am particularly grateful as a young women and their doctors. a child that they were not willing to do woman when feminism emerged that To open doors of opportunity for women, I before, and one of those things is to go Dr. Height was one of those feminists am proud to support policies in Congress that to school. who made black people understand promote equality such as the FAIRNESS Act, I cannot for the life of me understand that as white women came forward and which protects workers from discrimination on why the TANF bill that we passed demanded their equal rights, that that the basis of race, age, disability, or gender. I would not allow a woman to work part took nothing from black people; that have long been a strong supporter of legisla- time and go to college part time if she their own movement for full equality tion to demand equal pay for equal work. My had the gumption and the energy to do was a movement that called forth uni- colleagues and I support legislation to in- so. I do not know what we expect. versal principles; that black women crease the minimum wage to help single Should she go off TANF and work at a had much in common with white mothers and working poor women provide minimum-wage job, or one close to women; and that this was not a cause adequately for themselves and their families. minimum wage for the rest of her nat- for the two to be in dispute, but rather In every field, we must and will be equal ural life? How does that help the chil- to be in coalition. partners in determining the future. Women dren? The world does not have enough lead- represent more than half the population and The whole point of this bill was to ers like Dorothy Height. That is why are among the most knowledgeable and im- bring greater responsibility and to en- we extol them when we find them: the portant thinkers in every field of policy, from courage people to take that responsi- Mandrels of this world, the Martin Lu- science to education to health care to national bility or we were not going to pay for ther Kings of this world, and, yes, and security. them. About the best way to take the Dorothy Heights of this world. Women in government have made great greater responsibility for yourself is to Mr. Speaker, I appreciate that we gains but still face continued challenges. educate yourself and make sure you have been granted this time so that When I was first elected to Congress in 1987, can support yourself decently, not just American women understand that there were only 16 women in the entire House support yourself. What have we done? March would not go by, for those who of Representatives and only 2 in the Senate. We have increased the work hour re- expected women to come forward in Today, there are 62 women in the House and quirements to 40 hours per week and this House and commemorate Women’s 13 in the Senate. then limited what counts as work. It is History Month, that that month would However, of the nearly 12,000 Members penny-wise, pound-foolish, and cruel. not go by entirely without us remem- And, Mr. Speaker, one thing we are bering that this House, this Congress who have served in Congress throughout his- not going to let this House forget is must never forget its women; that we tory, only 209—less than 2 percent—have that the Republicans in this House must never forget the women of the been women. From 1916, when Jeanette killed the child care credit for poor world. And one way in which we indi- Rankin of Montana became the first woman women and poor families; that those cate that women are always on our elected to Congress, until I was elected families that earn between $10,000 and minds is to choose a month where we Democratic Whip in 2001, no woman had ever $26,000 a year, including military fami- talk about them. served in the top Congressional leadership. lies, cannot get that child credit. That We have been talking about women In March, it was my privilege as House issue is not going away. We are going throughout this House. We have been Democratic Leader to honor three magnificent to carry it to the American people. We talking about their issues. It was time women: journalist Mary McGrory, the late Con- are not going to let this House forget it to talk about women on the floor of the gresswoman Mary T. Norton and civil rights until we have made good for those who House of Representatives this very leader Dr. Dorothy Height. most need the child care credit. evening. On March 2, I hosted a reception for Mary Mr. Speaker, I want to close simply GENERAL LEAVE McGrory, the pioneering reporter for the by paying tribute once again to Dr. Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask Washington Star and Washington Post who Dorothy Height and thanking the Con- unanimous consent that all Members has delighted so many readers and inspired gress of the United States for confer- may have 5 legislative days within so many women. For more than 50 years, she ring on Dr. Height the Congressional which to revise and extend their re- has walked the halls of Congress, interviewing Medal of Honor. marks and include extraneous material Members, covering Congressional pro- Dr. Height was for many years a resi- on the subject of my Special Order this ceedings, and providing a voice for progres- dent of the State of New York. It is my evening. sive issues. First, as a reporter for the Wash- great good fortune that a few years ago The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. ington Star and then with the Washington she moved to the District of Columbia OSE). Is there objection to the request Post, she earned a reputation for her brilliant and has become my constituent. of the gentlewoman from the District reporting and her ability to get to the heart of This is an American who richly de- of Columbia? any debate. She also earned a Pulitzer served the honor she got last week. She There was no objection. Prize—the first to a woman for commentary— has spent her whole life doing what Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, in March, we for her coverage of Watergate. many leaders have found difficult to celebrated Women’s History Month. We re- On March 18, several women Members do, fighting for a particular group membered those who have contributed to our gathered in my office to unveil a portrait of the while bringing people together. It is progress, we recognized those who are late Congresswoman Mary Norton of New Jer- easy enough to fight for your own changing our communities today, and we re- sey, who in 1924 became the first Democratic group. To a black woman, nothing is dedicated ourselves to improving the lives of woman elected to the House. She was the easier than for me to get up and talk women. first person in modern times to chair three about black women and what they need Women want what men want: a fair oppor- major committees. A solid supporter of Presi- and what has been their history. tunity to succeed, a safe and prosperous dent Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal, As the president emeritus of the Na- America, good paying jobs, better access to her finest hour may have been passage of the tional Council of Negro Women, that of health care, and the best possible education Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, while Chair

VerDate mar 24 2004 06:31 Apr 02, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K01AP7.184 H01PT2 H2048 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 1, 2004 of the House Labor Committee. She was in- problem in the United States. He has ple who are violently trying to over- strumental in raising the minimum wage from been a valuable member of this sub- throw their government. Any poll will 40 cents to 75 cents per hour. committee from the time he got here, show any numbers in the group, and a In a marvelous ceremony in the Rotunda of an aggressive member. We have held number smaller than our prison popu- the Capitol on March 24, Dr. Dorothy Height several hearings in California with lation in all but a few States even, let received the Congressional Gold Medal, the him. alone our country. They are people who most distinguished award bestowed by the And I want to personally thank him are thugs who have not been captured, U.S. Congress. The struggle for equality in and tell him how much he will be and they provide protection and are in- America in the 20th century—for civil rights, missed, since he has chosen to leave creasingly taking over the production for women’s rights, for voting rights, for human Congress, because we really need peo- of cocaine. rights—is the story of Dr. Height’s life. At age ple of his expertise and his commit- Ninety percent of our cocaine comes 92, she remains a beacon to her own genera- ment. Thank you very much. from Colombia; the heroin, and most of tion and generations to follow. Countless Mr. Speaker, there are a number of our heroin in America comes from Co- young people have been inspired by her ideal- issues on narcotics I am going to talk lombia, and they manage a lot of the ism, strengthened by her courage, and guided about tonight. We have had a busy networks for the marijuana distribu- by her faith. She has empowered these young number of days here in Washington on tion as well. But that was not always people to make a difference by her own pas- this subject, and I want to start first the way in Colombia. Colombia has sion for justice. with Colombia, where we have the larg- been destabilized because of our use of It is a great honor to be the first woman to est investment in the narcotics effort. narcotics in the United States and in lead a party in the House of Representatives. Just not that many days ago, Presi- Europe. When I was first elected to that position, we dent Uribe, the President of Colombia, Colombia is a beautiful nation for made history. Now we are making progress. was here. He met with leaders on both tourism, with Cartagena and many cit- As we celebrate the achievements of women sides of the aisle. He met with the ies along the coast. This is the Amazon throughout history and work toward progress Speaker’s Drug Task Force, which I co- basin here, feeding into the Amazon of our own, we are inspired by the words of chair; and we had the opportunity to River. You have, in the darker green, Eleanor Roosevelt: ‘‘It’s up to the women!’’ hear what is interestingly one of our beautiful areas of rain forest in that Ms. SOLIS. Mr. Speaker, for over a decade, great success stories. basin. These are the start of the Andes Women’s History Month has celebrated the In the area of narcotics, it is not pos- Mountains, beautiful high mountains. achievements and accomplishments of women sible ever to totally defeat the drug Up along the border with Venezuela we nationwide. The incredible contributions problem in America because every day see Lake Maracaibo, the big piece of women have made in politics, science, art, new people are exposed. We are dealing water coming in, and Venezuela there and activism, demonstrate some of the revolu- with fundamental human weaknesses. is one of the richest oil areas in the tionary advancements in American women’s But we can either make progress or we world, which is also true down in Co- rights. Women today follow in the footsteps of can go back. We were making progress lombia. pioneers such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and for nearly 10, 11 straight years when We spent, with American tax dollars, Alice Paul, who fought for women’s right to Ronald Reagan implemented a policy millions to try to protect that pipeline. vote in 1920, or Dolores Huerta, a contem- of ‘‘just say no,’’ articulated so ably by Colombia was our eighth largest sup- porary champion of women’s rights. the First Lady. plier of oil. More than Kuwait. But it We must continue to create platforms for We, in fact, made tremendous was stopped as narcoterrorists came in women’s voices and opinions and support a progress. It was not just a slogan, just and started breaking the pipelines to continuing momentum toward women’s free- say no, but that was the message com- try to deny the government of Colom- dom and equality. During this month and municated to young people and people bia the ability to function. The oldest throughout the year, women all across the across the country. There was an ag- democracy. United States should take a moment to recog- gressive effort to cut the sources of Anybody who has seen the fiction nize the gains afforded to them through their supply, interdiction, law enforcement, movie ‘‘Clear and Present Danger’’ has predecessors’ hard work and unwavering com- along with efforts in communities at least a fiction version of the vio- mitment to improving the lives and rights for around the country to just say no and lence that took place there, and an un- all women. then help those who fell into drug derstanding of when the Cali and As a Latina, and one of 16 million Latinas abuse. Medellin cartels were dominating the nationwide, I recognize some of the unique As we backed off of that in the early country what that was like. They basi- and continuing societal obstacles for Latinas— to mid-1990s, and sent a different mes- cally corrupted the government, killed like unequal pay, educational disadvantages, sage of ‘‘I didn’t inhale,’’ and cut back lots of the judges, killed 30,000 police- unmet health care needs, and civil rights interdiction efforts, cut the drug czar’s men, which is the equivalent of an in- struggles. I am certain, however, that through office from 120 employees down to credible number in the United States. the work of courageous leaders in our commu- about 30 employees, we saw such a But they had oil. They were a rich oil nity, our accomplishments and contributions surge in drug use in the United States country. as women of color will continue to grow well and narcotics in the United States that This area in here, and in some of the into the future. it would take a 50 percent reduction other multiple other zones, is of course Together, women will continue to make the from the 1993–94 levels, at the peak of the richest coffee area in the world. difference. the kind of drug revival in America to You hear about Colombian coffee. If Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield get back to where we were in the 1990– you have emeralds, they come from Co- back the balance of my time. 91 era. lombia, odds are, unless they are fake. f In the latter years of the Clinton ad- Gold. They have gold there. Most of ministration, and since President Bush our flowers that we buy in the United NARCOTICS IN THE UNITED has taken office, we have had a steady States come from there. If you fly into STATES reduction in drug use in junior high, the beautiful city of Bogota, in the The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under sophomore year in high school, senior lower parts of the Andes, you will see the Speaker’s announced policy of Jan- year in high school; and we are making just acres and acres and acres of places uary 7, 2003, the gentleman from Indi- steady progress. We have also had dra- growing flowers. Many of the super- ana (Mr. SOUDER) is recognized for 60 matic changes in the country of Colom- markets, the major chains bring that minutes as the designee of the major- bia. in. I have heard a figure as high as 70, ity leader. Let me briefly refer to this map of 80 percent of the flowers sold in Amer- Mr. SOUDER. First, Mr. Speaker, let Colombia. Colombia is a large country, ica come from Colombia. me thank tonight’s Speaker pro tem- the oldest democracy in South Amer- It is a stable, solid, economic coun- pore, the gentleman from California ica. We often hear about its civil war, try. That is not even mentioning tex- (Mr. OSE), for his leadership in Con- but it is a civil war with thugs. It is tiles and other industries there. It is gress on the issue that I am going to not a civil war in the sense of a tradi- the oldest democracy that has been address tonight, which is our narcotics tional type of civil war. These are peo- wrecked by us and by others. Now, as

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