Put a Woman on the Twenty Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. GUTIÉRREZ. Mr. Speaker, what would it be like if the Chamber and this government reflected the diversity of the American people? There would be a lot more portraits of women alongside all the portraits of committee chairmen of the past decades.

In 2015, it wouldn't be newsworthy when a competent, intelligent person who happens to be African American is hired for a job for which she is supremely qualified, which happened this week when Loretta Lynch was sworn in as our 83rd Attorney General. We wouldn't still be talking about unequal pay for equal work.

I believe that, if there is a country that truly believes in equality, that it is time to put our money where our mouths are, literally, and express that sense of justice on the most widely used currency in international transaction.

Last week, I introduced the Put a Woman on the Twenty Act to build on the grassroots campaign known as Women on 20s, working to bring gender equality to our currency. Their public campaign has garnered more than half a million votes in support of putting a woman on a $20 bill. I loved the idea, and it was brought to me by a smart, young woman on my staff, Kate Johnson. To me, this isn't just a women's issue; it is an American issue.

My bill simply directs the Secretary of the Treasury to convene a panel of citizens to solicit recommendations from the public for a woman to be placed on the $20 bill. Women have inspired generations of Americans for their courage by challenging this Nation to protect the civil rights of all Americans.

Women have advocated for voting rights and equal protection under the law and for programs that serve the most vulnerable members of our communities. Women led us out of slavery on the Underground Railroad, taught us what the phrase ``all men are created equal'' really means by fighting for women's suffrage and civil rights and have led in all sectors in society.

When I go to the bank, when I use an ATM, when I travel overseas, the $20 bill is already widely used and in the purses and wallets of hundreds of millions of Americans. We all know that the almighty dollar speaks; but what if it had a woman's voice?

Consider for a moment the powerful message that would be sent to a young girl in Chicago if she saw a portrait celebrating Rosa Parks or Harriet Tubman when she reached into her wallet to make a purchase. What about the young man in a country far away who maybe is still hearing damaging messages about the role of women in his country?

The portrait of Wilma Mankiller or Eleanor Roosevelt on the United States bill that represents power and success to him provides a new opportunity to show our common values about equality and inclusion in faraway places.

The organization Women on 20s has put forward four exceptional female leaders for this honor: Rosa Parks, Wilma Mankiller, Harriet Tubman, and Eleanor Roosevelt. That is a great list, but there is no reason to stop there. The initiative has sparked conversations about the many great women who have contributed in significant ways to strengthening our Nation.

I have certainly benefited from the passionate advocacy of women who have fought for civil rights and equality, as have my daughters and constituents in Chicago, many of whom are debating and weighing in on the candidates for this incredible honor.

Roosevelt University in Chicago has launched a campuswide campaign to champion Eleanor Roosevelt for the honor and not just because they were named after her. As a result of the campaign, students are participating in a national dialogue about her work advocating for child labor laws to protect kids and all workers from unsafe conditions and long hours, for gender equality, and safe housing.

Now, I don't know who will be chosen. She could be one of the women suggested already or any one of many other talented, impressive women in our country's history. My mother, who is an amazing woman, would probably get my personal vote, but she is out of the running because, thankfully, she is still alive.

I believe the time has come to have our currency represent the contributions of women throughout our history. A woman's place is in the boardroom, chairing the committee, in the laboratory, in the Oval Office, and, yes, even on our currency.

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