Deborah Koff Ross: “I rise today to honor former Congresswoman Jane Pratt. This week in 1946, she was sworn into the U.S. House of…”

“I rise today to honor former Congresswoman Jane Pratt. This week in 1946, she was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first woman to represent North Carolina in Congress. Prior to her election, she served as a congressional secretary for 22 years. As a Member of this body, she was an important voice, urging passage of legislation for major flood control in a reservoir in North Carolina. She also joined other women Members in supporting First Lady Bess Truman's food program to support struggling people in post-war Europe. After her term in Congress, Congresswoman Pratt went on to serve the American people at various Federal agencies for more than a decade. She proved everyone wrong who questioned whether a woman was up to this job almost 80 years ago, and today, I proudly stand on her shoulders.”