IV 

110TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1529 

Acknowledging the 40th anniversary of the election of Shirley Anita St. 

Hill Chisholm, the first African-American woman in Congress. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 19, 2008 

Ms. LEE (for herself, Mr. GRIJALVA, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Ms. 

EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Mrs. 

MALONEY of New York, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. 

LEWIS of Georgia, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. 

BUTTERFIELD, Mr. STARK, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Ms. WOOLSEY, Mr. 

SCOTT of Virginia, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Ms. RICHARDSON, Mr. 

HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. KILPATRICK, Mr. MEEKS of 

New York, Ms. CASTOR, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. JEFFERSON, Ms. 

MCCOLLUM of Minnesota, Mr. HOLDEN, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. WATSON, Mr. FOSTER, Mr. HINCHEY, Mr. ELLISON, Mr. SERRANO, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. MEEK of Florida, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. 

BERMAN, Mr. AL GREEN of Texas, Mr. RUSH, and Ms. MATSUI) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on 

House Administration 

RESOLUTION 

Acknowledging the 40th anniversary of the election of Shirley 

Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first African-American 

woman in Congress. 

Whereas November 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the 

historic election of the first African-American woman 

elected to Congress, Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm; 


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•HRES 1529 IH 

Whereas when she was elected to Congress in 1968 to serve 

in New York’s 12th Congressional District, Congresswoman Chisholm surpassed the twin obstacles of racism 

and sexism to win the election; 

Whereas, Congresswoman Chisholm, who considered herself 

the ‘‘people’s politician’’, dutifully served Congress from 

1969 to 1983 with a loud, clear voice that lived up to her 

slogan of being ‘‘unbought and unbossed’’; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm challenged political convention when she boldly disputed the House of Representative’s seniority system after being placed on the 

Committee on Agriculture, a selection that would do little 

to benefit her urban district; 

Whereas she demanded reassignment and was placed on the 

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, a better fit for her district; 

Whereas after serving on the Committee on Education and 

Labor for several years, Congresswoman Chisholm accepted a prestigious seat on the Committee on Rules, becoming the first African-American woman and second 

woman ever to serve on the powerful panel; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was a trailblazer who 

fought tirelessly to end the draft and the Vietnam war; 

Whereas she was a fierce defender of Federal assistance for 

education and served as a strong voice in support of the 

national school lunch bill; 

Whereas in 1972, ‘‘Fighting Shirley’’, her defining slogan, 

showed the same tenacity that allowed her to defy the 

odds in 1968 and declared her candidacy for Democratic 

nomination for the President, becoming the first AfricanVerDate Aug 31 2005 21:58 Nov 19, 2008 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1529.IH HR1529

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American to run for a major-party presidential nomination; 

Whereas although Congresswoman Chisholm was not elected 

as the Democratic candidate, her campaign ‘‘Chisholm 

for President’’ inspired people in the United States from 

all walks of life to get politically active; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm knew that people who had 

been shut out of the political process in the United States 

needed a voice and an opportunity to participate so she 

galvanized people around the country to get involved; 

Whereas as a founding member of the Congressional Black 

Caucus, Congresswoman Chisholm witnessed AfricanAmerican representation in the Congress grow and welcomed other African-American Congresswomen; 

Whereas today, 14 African-American Congresswomen now 

follow the path paved for them by Congresswoman Chisholm; and 

Whereas although Congresswoman Chisholm is no longer 

serving in Congress, she left an indelible legacy not just 

as an African-American female legislator, but as a passionate and capable lawmaker dedicated to improving 

education, housing, and health care: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) acknowledges the 40th anniversary of the 

3 election of Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first 

4 African-American woman in Congress; 

5 (2) pays tribute to the service of Congress6 woman Shirley Chisholm, her work to improve the 


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1 lives of women and minorities, her steadfast commit2 ment to demonstrating the power of compassion, and 

3 her dedication to justice and equality; 

4 (3) recognizes Congresswoman Chisholm’s dedi5 cated work in promoting the rights of all individuals 

6 in the United States, particularly in the areas of 

7 education, employment, and health care; and 

8 (4) appreciates Congresswoman Chisholm’s ex9 traordinary work, the example of her life, and her 

10 legacy which have inspired and empowered many to 

11 devote their lives to public service. 

Æ 


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