WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

On 2025-03-31, Representative Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11) delivered a floor speech titled "WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered foreign policy, defense. It referenced legislation: HR1329.

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 57 (Monday, March 31, 2025)] [House] [Pages H1359-H1362] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH (Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Ms. De La Cruz of Texas was recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority leader.) General Leave Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentlewoman from Texas? There was no objection. Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today alongside my friends and colleagues in celebration of Women's History Month. This month, I have reflected on the contributions of the American female leaders who have made our Nation what it is today: a land of opportunity for all. I am proud to be the first Hispanic Republican woman to represent the great State of Texas for a full term. It is because of strong women who have paved the way and never took no for an answer that I can serve in this institution and fight for my community of south Texas. In February, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle came together to support an initiative that will create a legacy for American women, the bipartisan Smithsonian American Women's History Act. This important legislation, which I helped introduce alongside bipartisan Women's Caucus Republican Vice Cochair Nicole Malliotakis, will designate land on the National Mall for the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum. By creating a museum in our Nation's Capital, we are honoring and preserving the incredible contributions of American women whose stories of strength, resilience, and innovation have shaped the fabric of our Nation's history. Trailblazing women deserve a dedicated space of recognition and reference: women like Susan B. Anthony, a pioneer and leader in women's suffrage; Harriet Tubman, the first American woman to run an underground railroad to help slaves reach freedom; Sojourner Truth, a trailblazer in the antislavery movement and advocate for women's rights; and Amelia Earhart, the first woman to bravely fly solo across the Atlantic. We cannot forget our beautiful Selena Quintanilla, a south Texas icon, Grammy-winning singer, and the queen of Tejano music, who shattered glass ceilings and elevated the Tejano genre to the mainstream media. Today marks exactly 30 years since her tragic death, and we honor her passion for music and the lasting impression she has left on our Hispanic culture. Each of their stories have opened the door to opportunities that once seemed unattainable and have inspired millions. We cannot let their stories be forgotten. By passing this critical legislation, we are giving the museum its rightful place on the National Mall and allowing generations of Americans and visitors from across the world to immerse themselves in the often untold stories of the women who paved the way for many, like me, to achieve the American dream. I encourage all of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to support this important bill. [[Page H1360]] Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Sykes). Mrs. SYKES. Mr. Speaker, today I rise during the first Bipartisan Women's Caucus of the year to stand in solidarity with my colleagues in this historic caucus as we continue the work to break ground on a Women's History Museum on Washington's National Mall. I would like to thank my colleague and cochair, Representative Monica De La Cruz for organizing this Special Order hour. I would also like to thank the vice chairs of the Bipartisan Women's Caucus, Janelle Bynum and Representative Nicole Malliotakis; specifically Representative Malliotakis for her leadership in transforming the National Women's History Museum from a dream into a real possibility. Women across the country have shaped and molded this society with their contributions being an integral part of the fabric of who we are, and their efforts, our efforts, and work should be recognized. The fact that we are here today to celebrate the possibility of a Women's History Museum is incredible. First, it is incredible because why has it taken it so long, and, second, because it is time to recognize the contributions of women in this country. Of course, the women from Ohio who are the heart of it all will certainly be very much previewed and modelled in this museum, women like Dorothy Dandridge, Nikki Giovanni, Annie Oakley, Florence Allen, Gloria Steinem, Toni Morrison, and, of course, Ohio's 13th Judy Resnick. The process of including people from a range of backgrounds, including women, is why this history museum dedicated to women that celebrates our achievements and condemns marginalization is not only special but very much needed. At the founding of this country, women didn't have the same rights as men, but women worked and labored for our place in this society. We couldn't vote. We couldn't buy land, and we couldn't even open bank accounts until about 50 years ago. Societal norms dictated that women were to be devalued and minimized, and it made it easy to overlook and dismiss us. In spite of this, women have played many important roles in our country, even though they were overlooked, undermined, and in some cases rewritten, even if we were written at all. When we as women expect to be overlooked and dismissed, it makes it easier for us just to not try at all, not to strive and dream for more, to stay in a lane that society has set for us. {time} 1930 Mr. Speaker, we have so many representations of women who have decided ``no.'' Like our Vice President says, we just eat ``no'' for breakfast. Representation matters. The fact that young girls and boys will soon be able to see the contributions of women and value those contributions will let them know that they can and should dream big. On this final day of Women's History Month, I would be remiss if I did not address the elephant in the room. No, it is not my Republican colleagues. It is the attack on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Including a National Women's History Museum on The National Mall in Washington would ensure that we are including everyone--women, those with disabilities, and women of color--into our national fabric and that we are not forgetting that their contributions are important to this country. They should not be forgotten because we are a part of this country and our history. The Women's History Museum will archive the vast achievements of women and establish Americans' commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive telling of our Nation's history so that young girls and boys from across the country and around the world continue to strive for greatness, knowing that their dreams are always possible in the United States of America. Ms. De La CRUZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Malliotakis). Ms. MALLIOTAKIS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my good friend and colleague, Monica De La Cruz, for joining me in this effort. I also thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle who have cosponsored our legislation, H.R. 1329. Today, we conclude Women's History Month. It has been a monthlong celebration of the remarkable achievements and contributions of American women throughout our Nation's history. Whether it is the suffragists who fought for the right to vote, the riveters who stepped in while men fought during World War II, the 10,000 women known as Code Girls who broke German and Japanese codes for the U.S. Army and Navy during World War II, the ``Hidden Figures'' of NASA who helped launch John Glenn into space, or the Black Angels from my district, Staten Island, New York, who treated sick tuberculosis patients when no one wanted to and helped find the cure for this disease, American women have been instrumental in shaping our Nation's progress and success. We think about how much has happened in five decades. Fifty years ago, women were still battling for so many rights, not just equal pay. They could not get a credit card without a male cosigner. They had no protections against pregnancy discrimination or sexual harassment. They could not serve on juries, and they did not have the ability to join military academies. Women before us have made so much progress. We celebrate and thank them. Now we pave the way forward. Last week, 37 female Republican Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate joined President Donald Trump at the White House to launch the GOP Women's Caucus. I would remind my colleagues from the Republican side that it was the Republican Party who helped champion women's rights and protections. It was Republican Susan B. Anthony who led the suffrage movement. It was a Republican Senator who sponsored the 19th Amendment to give women the right to vote. It was a Republican Congress that approved it, and it was a majority of Republican States that ratified it. It was Republican Jeannette Rankin who 4 years prior made history in 1916 as the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. In 1972, it was President Richard Nixon who signed Title IX into law, eliminating sex discrimination in education and athletics, opening doors for female athletes to receive scholarships. In 1981, Sandra Day O'Connor, also a Republican, made history as the first woman confirmed to the U.S. Supreme Court, paving the way for greater female representation in our legal system. Most recently, President Trump authorized the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum in 2020. In his first few days of his second term, he signed an executive order to protect women in sports. Today, we are fighting to get that museum that was authorized in 2020 its rightful place on The National Mall. I thank my colleagu

Referenced legislation: HR1329