Barbara Mikulski: “Our Senator Robert C. Byrd of blessed memory often spoke of us as the quiet guardians of the purse.”

As the longest serving woman in congressional history, I proudly stand on the shoulders of the suffragists who fought bravely and boldly for generations to secure women's political equality.

I want to recognize her for her leadership in that.

We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred.

Your leadership in placing the Women's Suffrage National Monument on the National Mall will expand our Nation's understanding of American women's leadership.