Senate should recognize women’s leader (Rep. Joe Baca)
May 19th, 2008
On Thursday, May 15, the House of Representatives approved legislation I introduced to posthumously award the Congressional Gold Medal to renowned suffragist Alice Paul. The Alice Paul Women’s Suffrage Congressional Gold Medal Act, H.R. 406, officially recognizes Paul’s role in the women’s suffrage movement and in advancing equal rights for women and was approved by a 412 - 1 vote.
Alice Paul spearheaded the effort to pass the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting all American women the right to vote. Her courage inspired thousands of women to join the women’s suffrage movement. She was among the first group to ever picket the White House and later embarked on a three-week hunger strike with her fellow suffragists when they were arrested for their cause. She also drafted the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923 and fought tirelessly for its passage until her death in 1977.I first introduced this legislation to award Alice Paul the Congressional Gold Medal in January of 2005. Even after her death, her influence continues to be significant on our society and culture. The courageous actions of Alice Paul helped to break the glass ceiling and pave the way for minorities and women in public office. We would not have our first ever female Speaker of the House, or a female running for the Presidency of the United States if it had not been for the precedent she and other suffragists helped set.
The legislation garnered near unanimous, bipartisan support from my colleagues with 406 Congressional co-sponsors. This is the most co-sponsor support in history for any Congressional Gold Medal act. I am hopeful this legislation will increase awareness of Alice Paul’s achievements, and encourage more schools to teach students about her struggles and successes in expanding equality and opportunity.
Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) has introduced a Senate counterpart bill to H.R. 406, S. 826. I hope the Senate will see fit to honor this remarkable person who made America more democratic by fighting for equal rights and creating opportunities for women to participate in politics.
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