III 

111TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 536 

Designating June 1, 2010, as ‘‘Declaration of Conscience Day’’ in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the landmark ‘‘Declaration of Conscience’’ speech delivered by Senator Margaret Chase Smith on the 

floor of the United States Senate. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

MAY 20, 2010 

Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Ms. COLLINS) submitted the following resolution; 

which was considered and agreed to 

RESOLUTION 

Designating June 1, 2010, as ‘‘Declaration of Conscience 

Day’’ in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the 

landmark ‘‘Declaration of Conscience’’ speech delivered 

by Senator Margaret Chase Smith on the floor of the 

United States Senate. 

Whereas on June 1, 1950, Senator Margaret Chase Smith of 

the State of Maine, in her first major speech on the floor 

of the Senate, delivered a courageous and heroic speech 

responding to the contemptible actions and words of Senator Joseph McCarthy from the State of Wisconsin; 

Whereas in 15 minutes, Senator Smith accomplished a task 

that 94 of her male colleagues did not dare to attempt; 


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•SRES 536 ATS 

Whereas Senator Smith had the will and integrity to speak 

out vigorously when silence was a safer course; 

Whereas through the power of her iconic words, Senator 

Smith challenged a giant of demagoguery, prompting financier and presidential advisor, Bernard Baruch, to say 

that ‘‘had a man made that speech, he would have become the next President of the United States’’; 

Whereas Senator Smith, because of her bravery both in politics and in life, inspired millions of young girls, and became a role model for countless more women across the 

United States, who had never before thought that women 

could aspire to any kind of public office; 

Whereas Senator Smith was a legendary and undeniable force 

of civic good and political courage, whose bravery, civility, 

compassion, and integrity are woven indelibly into the 

fabric of the greatness of the United States; 

Whereas Senator Smith was a much-beloved and universally 

admired daughter of the State of Maine and forever the 

pride of Skowhegan, Maine, her birthplace and home; 

Whereas Senator Smith was a teacher, telephone operator, 

newspaper woman, office manager, secretary, wife, Congresswoman, and Senator; 

Whereas Senator Smith was the first woman to be elected to 

both Houses of Congress; and 

Whereas Senator Smith was— 

(1) a timeless leader for the State of Maine and the 

United States; 

(2) a friend to freedom and the public trust; 

(3) a fearless defender of democracy and the bedrock principles of democracy; and 


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•SRES 536 ATS 

(4) above all else, a Stateswoman and public servant 

who belongs not just to the State of Maine and the 

United States, but to the ages: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) designates June 1, 2010, as ‘‘Declaration of 

3 Conscience Day’’; 

4 (2) recognizes the 60th anniversary of the land5 mark ‘‘Declaration of Conscience’’ speech delivered 

6 by Senator Margaret Chase Smith; 

7 (3) honors the heroism of the immortal words 

8 and actions of Senator Smith; and 

9 (4) pays tribute to the integrity and courage of 

10 Senator Smith, which reverberates to this day. 

Æ 


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