Date: 2014-03-24
Speaker: JACKSON LEE (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Speaker. I join my colleagues with the Congressional Black Caucus in this Special Order in recognition of Womens History Month. I want to offer a special mention for the U.S. House of Representatives women firsts: Congresswoman Jeanette Rankin of Montana who was the first elected woman member of the House of Representatives. Congresswoman Patsy Mink of Hawaii was the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress. Congresswoman Shirley Anita Chisholm of New York who was the first AfricanAmerican Congresswoman member of the House of Representatives. and Congresswoman ILEANA RosLEHTINEN whom we have the honor of working with is the first Hispanic woman elected to serve in Congress. National Womens History Months roots go back to March 8. 1857. when women from New York City factories staged a protest over working conditions. International Womens Day was first observed in 1909. In 1981. Congress passed a law authorizing the President to proclaim March 7. 1982 as "Womens History Week." It was a modest beginning. but very significant to women because it started a societal and cultural change in how womenand especially young girls saw themselves within the American story. In 1987. Congress expanded the week to a month. Every year since. Congress has passed a resolution for Womens History Month. and the President has issued a proclamation. This month we recognize Womens History Month by noting the fundamental role women have played in shaping Americas history. But I say to you that a month is not enough to make known the significant contributions of women to the success of the United States of America. We taught our girls about Rosie the Riveter who represented the millions of American women who went to work on assembly lines to manufacture tanks. planes. and weapons for the defense of this nation during World War II. I am a cosponsor of H.R. 863. the National Womens History Commission Act. The bill would establish a Commission to study the potential for creating a National Womens History Museum and submit to the President and Congress a report containing recommendations on a plan of action for the establishment and maintenance of a National Womens History Museum in Washington. DC. Congressional action is needed to be sure that when the story of our nation is told that the role of women is represented in the narrative of our nation. I along with my colleagues participating in this special order are urging passage of H.R. 863. to study the potential creation of a National Womens History Museum in Washington. DC. on or near the National Mall. The Shriver Report. "A Womans Nation Pushes Back from the Brink: Some Recommended Steps for Government. Businesses. and Women" reported on the economic health of the average American woman. Today. women make up half the U.S. workforce. but the average full time working woman earns only 77 percent of what the average full time working man makes. There are many women in the State of Texas and in the city of Houston who have made significant contributions to the American story: Congresswoman Barbara Jordan of Texas was the first AfricanAmerican woman elected to the House of Representatives. Kathryn "Kathy" Whitmire was the first woman elected to serve in Houston City government. and Mae Carol Jemison was the first AfricanAmerican woman astronaut. These many accomplishments do not mean there is not more that needs to be done. There is still a long way for women to go according to the Shriver Report. Women are more than 50 percent of the population and more than 50 percent of the votes. A woman working full time. all year at a minimumwage job. or a job close to the minimum wage. will not be able to bring her family above the poverty line. Families need an income closer to 200 percent of the federal poverty threshold to escape the brink. In the Shriver Reports survey: 73 percent of Americans said that in order to raise the incomes of working women and their families. they strongly favor the government ensuring that women get equal pay for equal work. 79 percent of Americans said the government should expand access to highquality. affordable childcare for working families. Almost 60 percent of Americans said women raising children on their own face tremendous challenges and should be helped financially by government. employers. and communities. and If we are going to win the war on poverty we must wage and win the war of discrimination of women in the workforce. Pay inequality is not just a womens issueit is a family income equality issue.