Tax on Bonuses Received from Certain TARP Recipients--Continued

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mrs. SHAHEEN. Mr. President, I rise to express my disappointment, and frankly bewilderment, over the blocking of a resolution to recognize International Women's Day. This week, on Monday, March 8, the world commemorated International Women's Day, a day for people around the world to celebrate the economic, political, and social achievements of women--past, present, and future.

We have made significant progress over the years in advancing women's rights and these should be celebrated. However, International Women's Day is also a day to recognize how much work there is yet to do in the struggle for equal rights and opportunities.

But last week, I, along with three of our colleagues--Senator Cardin, Senator Gillibrand, and Senator Boxer--submitted a resolution to do that, to recognize and honor those women in the United States and around the world who have worked throughout history to ensure that women are guaranteed equality and basic human rights and to recognize the significant obstacles women continue to face. Our resolution garnered 15 cosponsors from both sides of the aisle, so both our Republican colleagues and Democrats cosponsored this resolution.

I think it is important to note that over the last several years, Congress has unanimously passed similar statements supporting the goals of International Women's Day and encouraging people across the country to observe this important day with appropriate programs and activities.

But this year, while this day was celebrated and recognized around the world, it was not recognized by the Senate. This noncontroversial, bipartisan resolution was blocked and the blocking of this resolution, is inexplicable and indefensible. But, sadly, it is not surprising because obstruction seems to have become a way of doing business around here no matter how innocuous the issue.

Because we were not able to get agreement from the other side in passing this resolution, I would like to read into the Record some of the statements that are in the resolution so we can honor, at least in our Record, the contributions of women around the world.

Whereas women around the world participate in the political, social, and economic life of their communities and play the predominant role in providing and caring for their families;

..... Whereas although strides have been made in recent decades, women around the world continue to face significant obstacles in all aspects of their lives including discrimination, gender-based violence, and denial of basic human rights;

Whereas women are responsible for 66 percent of the work done in the world, yet earn only 10 percent of the income earned in the world;

Whereas women account for approximately 70 percent of individuals living in poverty world-wide;

..... Whereas women in developing countries are disproportionately affected by global climate change;

..... Whereas according to the Department of State, 56 percent of all forced labor victims are women and girls;

Whereas according to the United Nations, 1 in 3 women in the world will be beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime;

..... Whereas, the United Nations theme for International Women's Day 2010 is ``Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all'': Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate .....

recognizes and honors the women in the United States and around the world who have worked throughout history to strive to ensure that women are guaranteed equality and basic human rights;

reaffirms the commitment to end gender-based discrimination in all forms, to end violence against women and girls worldwide; and

encourages the people of the United States to observe International Women's Day with appropriate programs and activities.

That is a brief version of the full resolution, but I think you can tell by what I read, this is a resolution that recognizes the challenges that still face too many women, not only in this country but especially in developing countries around the world. I hope next year when International Women's Day comes around, this body, the Senate, will be willing to recognize that day and recognize what is happening with women across the country and around the world.

Source