[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 102 (Wednesday, July 24, 2002)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1328] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING CORINNE ``LINDY'' CLAIBORNE BOGGS ON OCCASION OF 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF FOUNDING OF CONGRESSIONAL WOMEN'S CAUCUS ______ speech of HON. MARGE ROUKEMA of new jersey in the house of representatives Monday, July 22, 2002 Mrs. ROUKEMA. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution honoring the career and achievements of Former Congresswoman Corrine ``Lindy'' Claiborne Boggs. Lindy Boggs, representing the 2d district of Louisiana, served in this House from March 20, 1973, to January 3, 1991. I was fortunate enough to serve with Lindy, and I feel fortunate to be able to honor her accomplishments in Congress, and on behalf of women in Congress. Lindy's time in the House of Representatives and in Washington was an environment quite different than what we now understand. During her service, she achieved a number of firsts. She was the first woman elected to the House of Representatives from Louisiana; the first woman to serve as a Regent of the Smithsonian Institute; the first woman to preside over a national convention (the Democratic National Convention in 1976); the first woman to receive the Congressional Medal from the Veterans of Foreign Wars; as well as the first woman to receive a Tulane University Distinguished and Outstanding Alumni Award. Lindy focused on many issues while in Congress and lent a voice to the many policy debates that took place during her tenure. She accomplished much in the areas of literacy, housing, scientific research, and technology development. These are not the typical ``Women's issues'' assumed for her time, and I am sure she felt much pressure to focus on issues affecting women in particular. However these issues were viewed through a woman's eye. I can relate to that experience. In my early campaigns for Congress, reporters constantly asked me what I would do about ``women's issues.'' My response was that ``all issues are women's issues.'' However once I got to Washington, I had a similar experience to the one Lindy's daughter Cokie Roberts describes in her book, We Are Our Mothers' Daughters, ``most [congresswomen] arrived with no agenda for women in mind, but they all found, once they started serving, that women all over the country came to them with their concerns.'' I found that some of the so-called ``women's issues'' weren't being addressed by the men in power. It wasn't that the men were opposed to these issues--they just were not sufficiently aware of them. I realized that if the women in Congress don't act on these issues, no one else would. After over 20 years in Congress, I still believe that women make a unique and necessary contribution to the policymaking process in all areas of public policy. We bring our experience as wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, citizens, entrepreneurs, or workers to the table when deliberating important issues of the day. Lindy understood this, and contributed much to what Congress achieved during her time here. It is for this reason that we stand on the House floor today lauding her success and accomplishments in this Body. I am proud to have served with Congresswoman Boggs, and I am grateful for all that she has accomplished for women in Congress and in this country. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support this legislation in her honor. ____________________