Sean Patrick Maloney: “I rise today to honor as my Woman of the Year a former Congressman, New York's tireless advocate for women, Bella Abzug.…”

“I rise today to honor as my Woman of the Year a former Congressman, New York's tireless advocate for women, Bella Abzug. On behalf of women everywhere, I salute this remarkable woman, whose dedication and courage deserves recognition as we honor her and as we follow her lead. Bella, who was born the same year that women won the right to vote, has spent her entire life fighting for women's rights. As a Member of Congress she wrote the first law banning discrimination against women in obtaining credit, and she initiated an organization which has become known as the Congressional Caucus on Women's Issues. Today, Bella continues her advocacy for women with her Women's Environment and Development Organization, a group which will soon introduce its Contract with American Women. Today, in a Congress far more hostile to women's rights than any I can remember, I will do what Bella would appreciate the most, honor her spirit by reminding our adversaries that we will refuse to lose. We will succeed in overcoming the anti-women actions of this Congress because we have millions of women with us across this country. Madam Speaker, we will succeed, because brave women Like Bella Abzug have taught us how to succeed.”