News Release
Date: January 11, 2007


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE



REP. JOE BACA INTRODUCES BILL TO HONOR ALICE PAUL,
WOMEN'S SUFFRAGIST AND EQUAL RIGHTS CHAMPION



Washington, DC -- Rep. Joe Baca (D-CA) introduced legislation to honor Alice Paul today, the 122nd anniversary of the late suffragist's birth. The legislation calls for awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to Alice Paul in recognition of her role in securing suffrage and civil rights for American women.



"Alice Paul was a remarkable person who made America more democratic by fighting for equal rights and creating opportunities for women to participate in politics. Her influence on our society and culture continues to be significant," said Rep. Baca.








Alice Paul spearheaded the effort to pass the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting all American women the right to vote. Her courage inspired thousands of women to join the women's suffrage movement. She was among the first group to ever picket the White House and later embarked on a three-week hunger strike with her fellow suffragists when they were arrested for their cause.




Even after the 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920, she continued her work on behalf of women's rights. In fact, she drafted the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923 and fought tirelessly for its passage until her death in 1977. Alice Paul also successfully lobbied Congress to include prohibitions on sex discrimination in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.






Rep. Baca spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives today and noted that this week marks the anniversary of the House's vote in 1918 to allow American women the right to vote. Rep. Baca sponsored similar legislation in the 109th Congress and gained support from 167 of his House colleagues. The bill also previously was supported by prominent women's organizations such as the National Council of Women's Organizations, the National Organization for Women, the Alice Paul Institute and 4ERA plus the Friends Committee on National Legislation. Rep. Baca will again seek grassroots support to educate the public about Alice Paul and gain support for his bill. Already 45 Representatives have signed on to support the bill introduced today, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi.








"Just last week we celebrated Nancy Pelosi becoming the first women to become Speaker of the House. This notable achievement was made possible because of pioneers such as Alice Paul," said Rep. Baca.",

"Alice Paul was a remarkable person who made America more democratic by fighting for equal rights and creating opportunities for women to participate in politics. Her influence on our society and culture continues to be significant," said Rep. Baca.


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