IV 

111TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 36 

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 

JANUARY 8, 2009 

Ms. LEE of California (for herself, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. MEEK of Florida, Ms. MATSUI, Mr. 

MCGOVERN, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, Ms. CLARKE, Mr. HINCHEY, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. SERRANO, Ms. 

SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Ms. 

JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. BUTTERFIELD, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Ms. 

BORDALLO, Mr. BOSWELL, Mr. STARK, Mr. RUSH, Ms. DEGETTE, Ms. 

RICHARDSON, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. EDWARDS of Maryland, and Ms. WOOLSEY) 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 January 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the 

first African-American woman sworn into Congress, Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm; 

Whereas when she was elected to Congress in 1968 to serve 

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•HRES 36 IH 

woman 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 AfricanAmerican to run for a major-party presidential nomination; 


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•HRES 36 IH 

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 

7 lives of women and minorities, her steadfast commitVerDate Nov 24 2008 03:10 Jan 09, 2009 Jkt 079200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\HR36.IH HR36

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•HRES 36 IH 

1 ment to demonstrating the power of compassion, and 

2 her dedication to justice and equality; 

3 (3) recognizes Congresswoman Chisholm’s dedi4 cated work in promoting the rights of all individuals 

5 in the United States, particularly in the areas of 

6 education, employment, and health care; and 

7 (4) appreciates Congresswoman Chisholm’s ex8 traordinary work, the example of her life, and her 

9 legacy which have inspired and empowered many to 

10 devote their lives to public service. 

Æ 


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