Honoring International Women's Month

Floor Speech

HONORING INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S MONTH -- (Extensions of Remarks - March 30, 2007)

* Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of International Women's Month, which this year we celebrated during the month of March.

* Throughout the month, we have passed legislation recognizing the impact women have had on our Nation and the world itself. We have heard speeches honoring these individuals who have made life richer and better.

* As March comes to a close, I want to individually honor several women from my home state of Nebraska who have made a difference.

* I also want to encourage all Members of Congress to help celebrate International Women's Month all year long, through education, support, and service.

* Throughout Nebraska's history, we have been fortunate to have had a number of exceptional women call our State home. It is in their name and the names of the exceptional women yet to come that we celebrate this month--and all year long.

* Names such as Louise Pound, Willa Cather, and Mari Sandoz spring readily to mind when discussing Nebraska women who have opened minds and imaginations.

* But during times of change, women such as children's crusader Grace Abbott and journalist Rheta ChiIde Dorr--the first woman to cover World War I from the front lines--have served as inspirations.

* The first American Indian woman doctor was Dr. Susan LaFlesche Picotte. The hospital she built in Walthill is now called the Picotte Center.

* Nebraska women have also shouldered leadership for our State. Senator JoAnn Maxey was the first African American to serve as State Senator. Senators Fern Orme and Florence Reynolds also deserve mention.

* I would be remiss if I didn't mention Governor Kay Orr, who was elected the first Republican woman Governor in the United States, or Rep. Virginia Smith, who set the standard for all House Members, not just from the Third District of Nebraska.

* Finally, we should also honor the women who served in our armed forces and who put their lives at risk for our freedom. In particular, let us remember Sgt. 1st Class Linda Ann Tarango-Griess and Staff Sgt. Tricia Jameson, who lost their lives in Operation Iraqi Freedom and who called Nebraska home.

* Our country is blessed to have freedoms so many areas of the world unfortunately do not. We have the freedom to succeed, and many women through our history have done just that. Now is the time to encourage the next generation to follow in their footsteps.

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