[Pages H3829-H3830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              WOMEN SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO SERVE IN DIGNITY

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, sometimes it is very difficult to 
respond to something that is so much out of the ordinary, but I rise 
today to refer to my colleague, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and to make 
mention of the incident that occurred where she was described in 
unflattering words.
  Those words were denigrating to a woman. They were equally 
denigrating to women of color.
  One's views in this place are protected by the Constitution and 
protected by the First Amendment, but it is particularly sad when one's 
particular gender is called out and degraded, for women have been the 
backbone of this Nation. They have helped

[[Page H3830]]

build this country. They serve in the United States military.
  Our Member of Congress from The Bronx, New York, has equally been 
elected by her constituents, and deserves the kind of respect and 
understanding that all of those who take the oath deserve. I am 
appalled by the words that were used against her.
  I stand with her remarks of expression of the right to have different 
views, and I also stand with her as a woman who would respect that 
service and that unique service that we who have come to this place 
where we could not be for many, many years to serve, she should be 
allowed to serve, and serve in dignity.

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