Statue to Honor United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O'connor and Statue to Honor United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Floor Speech

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Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, Women's History Month offers an opportunity to reflect on the courageous, patriotic women who have helped write our Nation's story.

Indeed, in every chapter of our history, women have been at the forefront: fighting for our rights, forging progress in every aspect of society, and pushing our nation to live up to our most cherished ideals.

So, it is in that powerful, pioneering spirit that I rise today in support of legislation that will honor two of these historic Americans: Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

From their seats on the highest Court in the land, they were not only instrumental to upholding and defending our Constitution--but they paved a path in the field of law for generations of women to follow.

With this bill, we honor their extraordinary service by welcoming to the United States Capitol statues of these two trailblazing women.

Thank you to Congresswoman Lois Frankel for your tireless, persistent leadership in establishing this special tribute--and for all that you do for America's women and girls.

Thanks also to Chair Zoe Lofgren: who, at the helm of the Committee on House Administration, has been a steadfast champion in bringing more diversity and inclusion to monuments that fill the halls of the Congress.

These statues will not only ensure that Justices O'Connor and Ginsburg take their rightful place here, among the many heroes of our history.

But they will also ensure that all those who walk these hallowed halls--from Members and foreign leaders to young girls on school trips--can learn about and be inspired by the legacies of these two legendary leaders.

It is with great pride that, with this bill, we will soon welcome to the halls of Congress a statue of a living legend: Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Justice O'Connor has earned her deeply deserved place in history, as the first woman ever to sit on the Supreme Court.

But beyond the barrier-breaking nature of her service, she brought to the bench a pillar of courage, integrity and justice: our nation's highest ideals.

On the Court, she was always an independent and influential voice-- bringing great wisdom, judgment and consideration to her opinions.

She also inspired the world as a proud working mother, proving that a woman can both excel in her career and care for her family.

She raised her three young sons while serving in the Arizona State Senate--where she was the first woman Maiority Leader of a State Senate anywhere in the country.

And all were in awe of her strength in serving as her late husband's caregiver during his battle with Alzheimer's.

Justice O'Connor once said: ``It's good to be first--but you don't want to be last.'' Indeed, she always held open the door behind her: mentoring so many young women in law, including our beloved Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

And our Nation is so proud that Justice Ginsburg will join that of Justice O'Connor here on Capitol Hill.

Ruth Bader Ginsburg truly embodied justice, brilliance and goodness-- and nearly every family in America benefited from her quarter century on the Court fighting for equality, opportunity and justice for all.

The ``Notorious RBG'' quickly became an icon on the bench:

an outstanding and independent legal mind;

a tenacious defender of our fundamental rights; and

the author of fiery opinions still referenced to this day.

And throughout her entire career, she was a tireless advocate for gender equality, whether:

working at the ACLU as the founder of its Women's Rights Project;

arguing cases before the Supreme Court;

or handing down legal opinions cementing the precedent that all men and women are created equal.

After her devastating loss two years ago, it was my solemn privilege as Speaker to welcome her one final time back to the Capitol to lie in state.

Now, it is with great respect and admiration for her legacy of powerful progress for women that the Congress passes this legislation to ensure her statue will be a permanent fixture of our Temple of Democracy.

It is fitting that we enact this legislation amid the historic confirmation process of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson.

She was magnificent during the Committee proceedings last week-- demonstrating her brilliant legal mind, her remarkable confidence and poise, and her unyielding commitment to justice.

And this is a moment of great pride and patriotism for our nation, as she will soon make history as the first Black woman on the Supreme Court.

Indeed, Judge Jackson is a blazing new trail for the next generation of public servants--in the same pioneering spirit as the two extraordinary leaders we are honoring with this legislation today.

God blessed America with the leadership of Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg--and many of us today stand on their shoulders.

With this bill, we ensure that all visit the Capitol feel their eternal presence and that our children will learn about their towering legacies.

I urge a strong, bipartisan ``aye'' vote.

Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of S. 3294, a bill to place in the Capitol or on the Capitol Grounds a statue to honor Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Sandra Day O'Connor and a statue to honor Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor was the first woman nominated to the United States Supreme Court by President Ronald Regan and was the 102nd appointee to the position.

Justice O'Connor served from September 25, 1981, until her retirement on January 31, 2006.

During her tenure on the court, Justice O'Connor was often the crucial swing vote in 5-4 decisions that included many of the most controversial issues of our time.

Justice O'Connor has had a long and distinguished career as a public servant, including three terms as an Arizona State Senator, and serving as a judge on the Superior Court of Maricopa County, and the Arizona Court of Appeals.

Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the second woman appointed, and the first Jewish woman, to preside on United States Supreme Court.

Justice Ginsburg was appointed to the court by President Bill Clinton on August 10, 1993 and served on the court until her death on September 18, 2020.

Justice Ginsburg was an advocate for woman's rights long before she was appointed to the court. She co-founded the Women's Rights Project at the ACLU.

In the words of the late Justice Ginsburg, ``women's rights are an essential part of the overall human rights agenda, trained on the equal dignity and ability to live in freedom all people should enjoy.''

These women broke down barriers that once stood in the way of equality. Their determination and persistence allowed for women across the nation to fight for their rights and achieve their dreams.

Their sacrifices paved the way for many firsts en the Federal bench. Justice Sonia Sotomayor was the first Hispanic woman to be appointed to the position, and just last month, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson was the first African American woman to be nominated to the court.

Although these are monumental steps for women and gender equality, there is still much work that needs to be done.

It is our duty as Members of Congress to acknowledge and commemorate these inspiring Supreme Court Justices. The two statues in our nation's Capital will honor the lives and legacies of these two pioneering women. Moreover, by celebrating Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor we celebrate the impact of women nationwide and showcase these two leaders as remodels for future generations. I urge all my colleagues to support S. 3294.

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