Additional Statements

Floor Speech

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Mr. KING. Mr. President, I wish to congratulate the Frances Perkins Center on the designation of the Frances Perkins Homestead, located in Newcastle, ME, as a National Historic Landmark. The Brick House was the home of the remarkable Frances Perkins, the first woman appointed to a Presidential cabinet. This is an honor that has been given to only 2,500 other historic places in the United States and I applaud the Frances Perkins Center for receiving this distinction.

Frances Perkins found that no matter where she lived during her life, her true home would always be in Maine. While she was born in Boston in 1880, both of her parents were native Mainers. She grew up living in Worcester and spending summers with her grandmother on the family's saltwater farm in Newcastle. Frances credited her own character to be a direct result of her grandmother's influence and their time together in Maine.

Frances was a motivated and inquisitive person from a young age. She attended Classical High School in Worcester and, though it was uncommon at the time, she went on to Mount Holyoke College where she was a standout student. Professors immediately noticed Frances' ambition and natural intellect. Frances graduated from Mont Holyoke in 1902 with a major in physics and minors in chemistry and biology.

Throughout her life, Frances was devoted to improving the lives of American workers. After college, Frances moved to Illinois, working as a teacher and volunteering in settlement houses. She then received her master's degree from Colombia and subsequently began her extraordinary career in public service, working for the New York City Consumers League and then the New York State Industrial Commission.

The impressive work by Frances for the Industrial Commission led to newly elected New York Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt to name her New York State Commissioner of Labor. She received attention and admiration in this role for her ceaseless commitment to improving work conditions in New York. In February 1933, Roosevelt appointed Frances Secretary of Labor in his Presidential cabinet. Frances was the first female Federal cabinet official, which remains one of her most notable and outstanding achievements.

Frances' accomplishments as Secretary of Labor had, and continue to have, a profound impact on American lives. Frances was the lead architect in designing New Deal policies during the Great Depression; however, her work did not stop there. She was incredibly influential in creating legislation for Social Security and establishing a 40-hour work week. Frances is also known for her major role in prohibiting child labor, enforcing worker's rights, and designing unemployment insurance as well as workers' aid.

Frances' beliefs, values, and spirit grew from her strong connection to Maine. Frances regularly returned to her Maine home, especially when she desired a haven to rest and remember her roots. She owned and maintained the family farm in Newcastle from 1927 until she died on May 14, 1965 at the age of 85. She is buried nearby the homestead.

I am thrilled at the nomination of the Frances Perkins Homestead as a National Historic Landmark. Frances was a fearless leader who exemplified American values of hard work and determination. Frances' work lives on as an essential benefit to countless American citizens. I am proud that her legacy is a part of Maine's history and I warmly congratulate the Frances Perkins Homestead, and all those involved with achieving this accomplishment, on its dedication as a National Historic Landmark.

Frances was a motivated and inquisitive person from a young age. She attended Classical High School in Worcester and, though it was uncommon at the time, she went on to Mount Holyoke College where she was a standout student. Professors immediately noticed Frances' ambition and natural intellect. Frances graduated from Mont Holyoke in 1902 with a major in physics and minors in chemistry and biology.

Throughout her life, Frances was devoted to improving the lives of American workers. After college, Frances moved to Illinois, working as a teacher and volunteering in settlement houses. She then received her master's degree from Colombia and subsequently began her extraordinary career in public service, working for the New York City Consumers League and then the New York State Industrial Commission.

The impressive work by Frances for the Industrial Commission led to newly elected New York Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt to name her New York State Commissioner of Labor. She received attention and admiration in this role for her ceaseless commitment to improving work conditions in New York. In February 1933, Roosevelt appointed Frances Secretary of Labor in his Presidential cabinet. Frances was the first female Federal cabinet official, which remains one of her most notable and outstanding achievements.

Frances' accomplishments as Secretary of Labor had, and continue to have, a profound impact on American lives. Frances was the lead architect in designing New Deal policies during the Great Depression; however, her work did not stop there. She was incredibly influential in creating legislation for Social Security and establishing a 40-hour work week. Frances is also known for her major role in prohibiting child labor, enforcing worker's rights, and designing unemployment insurance as well as workers' aid.

Frances' beliefs, values, and spirit grew from her strong connection to Maine. Frances regularly returned to her Maine home, especially when she desired a haven to rest and remember her roots. She owned and maintained the family farm in Newcastle from 1927 until she died on May 14, 1965 at the age of 85. She is buried nearby the homestead.

I am thrilled at the nomination of the Frances Perkins Homestead as a National Historic Landmark. Frances was a fearless leader who exemplified American values of hard work and determination. Frances' work lives on as an essential benefit to countless American citizens. I am proud that her legacy is a part of Maine's history and I warmly congratulate the Frances Perkins Homestead, and all those involved with achieving this accomplishment, on its dedication as a National Historic Landmark.

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