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[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 36 Introduced in House (IH)]

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 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 African-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 African-American 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
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) acknowledges the 40th anniversary of the election of 
        Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first African-American 
        woman in Congress;
            (2) pays tribute to the service of Congresswoman Shirley 
        Chisholm, her work to improve the lives of women and 
        minorities, her steadfast commitment to demonstrating the power 
        of compassion, and her dedication to justice and equality;
            (3) recognizes Congresswoman Chisholm's dedicated work in 
        promoting the rights of all individuals in the United States, 
        particularly in the areas of education, employment, and health 
        care; and
            (4) appreciates Congresswoman Chisholm's extraordinary 
        work, the example of her life, and her legacy which have 
        inspired and empowered many to devote their lives to public 
        service.
                                 <all>
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