III 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 689 

Acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the election to the House of Representatives of Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first African-American woman in Congress. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

NOVEMBER 15, 2018 

Mr. SCHUMER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the election to the 

House of Representatives of Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first African-American woman in Congress. 

Whereas November 5, 2018, marks the 50th anniversary of 

the election to the House of Representatives of Shirley 

Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first African-American 

woman in Congress; 

Whereas Shirley Anita St. Hill was born in Brooklyn, New 

York, on November 30, 1924, to Caribbean immigrant 

parents, Charles and Ruby Seale St. Hill; 

Whereas Shirley Chisholm graduated from Brooklyn College 

in 1946 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and 

from Columbia University in 1952 with a Master of Arts 

degree in early childhood education; 


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•SRES 689 IS 

Whereas Shirley Chisholm was the second African American 

elected to the New York State Legislature in 1964 and 

served honorably until 1968; 

Whereas Shirley Chisholm overcame the twin obstacles of racism and sexism to win election to the House of Representatives in 1968; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm served 7 terms as a Member of Congress, from 1969 until 1983; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was a fierce critic of the 

seniority system in Congress, protested her assignment in 

1969 to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 

Representatives, and won reassignment to a congressional 

committee on which she could better serve her inner-city 

district in Brooklyn, New York; 

Whereas, after serving on the Committee on Education and 

Labor of the House of Representatives for several years, 

Congresswoman Chisholm accepted a prestigious seat on 

the Committee on Rules of the House of Representatives, 

becoming the first African American and second woman 

ever to serve on the powerful committee; 

Whereas, in 1972, Congresswoman Chisholm was the first 

woman and the first African American to seek a nomination from a major political party for President of the 

United States, which she sought on the Democratic ticket; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm campaigned in the presidential primaries of 12 States, won 28 delegates, and received 152 first-ballot votes at the national convention for 

the nomination of the Democratic Party for the office of 

President of the United States; 


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Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was a trailblazer, who 

fought tirelessly to end the draft and the Vietnam War; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm fought to end apartheid 

in South Africa; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm spoke fluent Spanish and 

fought for immigrant rights; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was a progressive champion for struggling families; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was a tireless advocate 

for women’s employment in Congress and for civil rights, 

women’s rights, and the poor; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm worked to expand the 

Food Stamp Program (later renamed as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and was instrumental in the establishment of the Special Supplemental 

Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children 

(commonly known as ‘‘WIC’’); 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was a cofounder of the 

Congressional Black Caucus in 1971; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm served as the Secretary of 

the House Democratic Caucus; 

Whereas Shirley Chisholm was a cofounder of the National 

Organization for Women; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm retired honorably from 

Congress in 1983; 

Whereas, in addition to her service as a legislator, Shirley 

Chisholm worked to improve society as a nursery school 

teacher, a director of a childcare facility, a consultant for 

the New York Department of Social Services, and an educator; 


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•SRES 689 IS 

Whereas, from 1983 to 1987, Shirley Chisholm taught sociology and politics at Mount Holyoke College; 

Whereas, in 1993, President Bill Clinton nominated Shirley 

Chisholm to serve as United States Ambassador to Jamaica, but her health prevented her from accepting the 

position; 

Whereas, in 1993, Shirley Chisholm was inducted into the 

National Women’s Hall of Fame; 

Whereas, on January 1, 2005, Shirley Chisholm died at the 

age of 80 in Ormond Beach, Florida; 

Whereas, in 2014, the United States Postal Service issued 

the Shirley Chisholm Forever Stamp as part of the Black 

Heritage stamp series; 

Whereas, on November 24, 2015, Shirley Chisholm was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, 

the country’s highest civilian honor; 

Whereas, on June 12, 2001, the House of Representatives 

unanimously agreed to H. Res. 97, recognizing the enduring contributions and heroic achievements of Shirley 

Chisholm; and 

Whereas Shirley Chisholm was an ‘‘unbossed and unbought’’ 

woman, who not only pioneered the way for minorities 

and women, but also embodied the true definition of leadership which transcends the political arena: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) acknowledges the 50th anniversary of the 

3 election to the House of Representatives of Shirley 


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•SRES 689 IS 

1 Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first African-American 

2 woman in Congress; 

3 (2) pays tribute to the service of Congress4 woman Chisholm, her work to improve the lives of 

5 women and minorities, her steadfast commitment to 

6 demonstrating the power of compassion, and her 

7 dedication to justice and equality; 

8 (3) recognizes the dedicated work of Congress9 woman Chisholm in promoting the rights of all indi10 viduals in the United States, particularly in the 

11 areas of education, employment, and health care; 

12 and 

13 (4) appreciates the extraordinary work of Con14 gresswoman Chisholm, the example of her life, and 

15 her legacy which have inspired and empowered many 

16 to devote their lives to public service. 

Æ 


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