On the recordMarch 17, 2010
Mr. Speaker, I rise to wish you and all of America a happy St. Patrick's Day, and in support of House Resolution 1141, to honor the accomplishments of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Justice O'Connor blazed paths of history for women throughout her career. In 1969, she was appointed to the Arizona State Senate, and in 1972 she became the first woman to serve as the majority leader of any State senate in the United States. Later, she became a trial judge for Maricopa County, Arizona, and only a few years later was appointed to the court of appeals. Then in 1981, she was nominated to the Supreme Court, the first woman to sit on the United States Supreme Court, and she did us proud. Justice O'Connor retired in 2006, but she continues to be actively involved with promoting good government and civic education. For example, she spearheaded 'Our Courts,' a Web-based education project designed to reinvigorate learning inside and outside the classroom. There were so many opinions when she was a part of the majority and also when she was a part of the minority to where we know her voice is missed today. Although appointed by a Republican President, she was bipartisan and called them by the book and did a lot to see that this country's Supreme Court was highly respected and not politicized. This resolution is a way to honor her for service to our country. I commend my colleague, Gabby Giffords of Arizona, for introducing this resolution.
