Congresswoman Laura Richardson Rises to Honor the Female Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipients

Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the outstanding accomplishments of the women who were presented with the Medal of Freedom yesterday by the President Barack Obama at the White House. These women come from a variety of backgrounds, but they are all leaders, and inspirations for young women across the country to become strong and powerful, compassionate and wise themselves.

Those honored have helped women's rights evolve over the last century. Starting with Juliette Gordon Low, who in 1912 registered 18 girls to create the first troop of American Girl Guides, who later became the Girl Scouts.

The Girl Scout movement brought girls into the out-of-doors, and helped to develop their self-reliance and resourcefulness. Today it is still going strong, and continues to be an organization that is accepting of people from all backgrounds, with a membership that has grown to 3.7 million girls. Although she passed away in 1927, Ms. Low's efforts are still being felt today, and her memory will continue in the lives of the remarkable Girl Scouts who serve their communities.

Madeline Albright was born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, in the years right before World War II. Her family was forced to flee with the rise of Hitler, and after a number of years spent in Europe, Ms. Albright found her way to America. While raising a family she was able to earn her Ph.D. and eventually work her way up to the position of U.S. Ambassador of the United Nations.

In 1997 she was sworn in as the first female Secretary of State, and therefore became the highest ranking woman in America's history. Ms. Albright broke into a male dominated world and rose to the top. She has inspired many young women to do the same, and truer words were never spoken when she said, ''Only in America can a refugee become the Secretary of State.''

Toni Morrison's first novel was The Bluest Eye. This controversial book brought about a frank conversation on ideas of beauty in relation to race and class. These kind of issues made people uncomfortable, and it was placed on multiple banned book lists. However, Ms. Morrison understood the necessity of speaking openly about these issues in order move forwards from them. She went on to win the Nobel Prize in Literature and continues to bring important issues to the table through her writings.

Pat Summitt has won more championships than any other coach in NCAA history. Even with a recent diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease she is still coaching, claiming that the players are her ''best medicine.'' Outside of her tremendous athletic accomplishments, every single one of her players has either graduated, or is currently on her way to a degree. She is a true teacher and inspiration to all women and those suffering from dementia alike.

Mr. Speaker, we should all be proud to be fellow citizens of these women. I would also like to recognize the great Delores Huerta, co-founder of the Farm Workers Union who also received the Medal of Freedom. I will describe her contributions and achievements later today.

The significant contributions of these extraordinary women have influenced people across the world. They have shown us that it is okay to be strong and commanding, and that a woman has as much right as a man to hold a position of power. These women have influenced generations of people with their words and actions, and they truly deserve this honor.