Honoring The Mercury 13 Women

Floor Speech

HONORING THE MERCURY 13 WOMEN -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 11, 2007)

* Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 421, to honor the trailblazing accomplishments of the ``Mercury 13'' women, whose efforts in the early 1960s demonstrated the capabilities of American women to undertake the human exploration of space.

* The 13 women who participated in this program demonstrated the willingness and capability that women all around the world, past and present, possess, and in many cases must possess to overcome an indictment of sexism and discrimination that our society often presents. Although their participation in these tests and trials yielded no concrete results, the 13 women trailblazers ought to be recognized for having endured and overcome such grueling physical, medical and psychological astronautical fitness examinations.

* These 13 women--Jerri Cobb, Wally Funk, Irene Leverton, Myrtle ``K'' Cagle, Jane B. Hart, Gene Nora Stumbough (Jessen), Jerri Sloan (Truhill), Rhea Hurrle (Woltman), Sarah Gorelick (Ratley), Bernice ``B'' Trimble Steadman, Jan Dietrich, and the late Marlon Dietrich and Jean Hixson--all surpassed society's expectations of rejections, by proving that although women are typically smaller and lighter than men, women are still fit to be good occupants in cramped space vehicles. These women attempted the dream that many others only dreamed of--flying the newest and the fastest craft.

* Mr. Speaker, though few Americans know the names of the 13 women trailblazers, their valiant attempts to earn the opportunity to fly a spacecraft call for worldwide recognition. Because of the secrecy of the test programs, these women never received the recognition for their accomplishments, which laid that critical groundwork for women who have reached and those who are seeking to reach the skies. We can show our gratitude and appreciation for these women trailblazers by honoring them with the passing of this bill.

* As a representative of the 18th Congressional District of Texas, home to an integral number of space exploration projects, centers, businesses, and constituents employed in the space industry, I strongly support legislation that seeks to inspire, motivate and recognize those individuals who assist with the improvement and advancement of space exploration.

* Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 421 to honor the trailblazing accomplishments of the 13 female pilots of Mercury 13.

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