IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1139 

Acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the election of Shirley Anita St. 

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

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

NOVEMBER 9, 2018 

Ms. CLARKE of New York (for herself, Ms. LEE, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. 

LARSEN of Washington, Ms. NORTON, Mr. BISHOP of Georgia, Ms. BASS, 

Mr. JEFFRIES, Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. COHEN, Mr. BRADY of 

Pennsylvania, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. LOWENTHAL, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. RUSH, 

Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, Ms. JAYAPAL, Mr. MEEKS, Ms. EDDIE

BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas, Ms. MOORE, Ms. DELBENE, Mr. CLEAVER, 

Mr. CLAY, Ms. KELLY of Illinois, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, 

Ms. WILSON of Florida, Ms. VELA ́ZQUEZ, Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN, Mr. 

HIGGINS of New York, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mrs. LAWRENCE, Ms. FUDGE, 

Mr. EVANS, Ms. BARRAGA ́N, Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia, Mr. BROWN

of Maryland, Mr. SCHIFF, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. GUTIE ́RREZ, Ms. DELAURO, 

Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Ms. SA ́NCHEZ, Mrs. 

BEATTY, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Ms. JACKSON LEE, 

Mr. MCGOVERN, Ms. SPEIER, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. NADLER, Mr. KHANNA, 

Mr. POCAN, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. MCNERNEY, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New York, Mr. BRENDAN F. 

BOYLE of Pennsylvania, Mr. CICILLINE, Ms. FRANKEL of Florida, Mr. 

SOTO, and Mr. MOULTON) submitted the following resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on House Administration 

RESOLUTION 

Acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the election of Shirley 

Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first African-American 

woman in Congress. 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
2 

•HRES 1139 IH 

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

the election of Congresswoman Chisholm to the House of 

Representatives; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was born in Brooklyn, 

New York, on November 30, 1924, to Caribbean immigrant parents, Charles and Ruby Seale St. Hill; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm graduated from Brooklyn 

College in 1946 with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology and from Columbia University with a master of 

arts in early childhood education in 1952; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was elected the second 

African American in the New York State Legislature in 

1964 and served honorably until 1968; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm served seven terms as a 

Member of Congress from 1968 until 1983; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm surpassed the twin obstacles of racism and sexism to win the election; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was a fierce critic of the 

seniority system in Congress, protested her assignment in 

1969 to the House Committee on Agriculture, and won 

reassignment to a committee of the House of Representatives on which she could better serve her inner-city district in Brooklyn, New York; 

Whereas after serving on the Committee on Education and 

Labor for several years, Congresswoman Chisholm accepted a prestigious seat on the House Committee on 

Rules, becoming the first African American and second 

woman ever to serve on the powerful panel; 

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 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
3 

•HRES 1139 IH 

United States, which she sought on the Democratic ticket; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm campaigned in the 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; 

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 helped create the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) and the 

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was a cofounder of the 

Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) in 1971; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm served as the Secretary of 

the House Democratic Caucus; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was a cofounder of the 

National Organization for Women; 

Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm retired honorably from 

Congress in 1982; 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
4 

•HRES 1139 IH 

Whereas in addition to her service as a legislator, Congresswoman Chisholm worked to improve society as a nursery 

school teacher, director of a childcare facility, consultant 

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

Whereas from 1983 to 1987, Congresswoman Chisholm 

taught sociology and politics at Mount Holyoke College; 

Whereas, in 1993, then-President Bill Clinton nominated 

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

accepting the position; 

Whereas, in 1993, Congresswoman Chisholm was inducted 

into the National Women’s Hall of Fame; 

Whereas, on January 1, 2005, Congresswoman 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 Series; 

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

the Nation’s highest civilian honor; 

Whereas the House of Representatives unanimously passed 

H.Res. 97 on June 12, 2001, recognizing the enduring 

contributions and heroic achievements of Congresswoman 

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 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
5 

•HRES 1139 IH 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) acknowledges the 50th 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 commit8 ment to demonstrating the power of compassion, and 

9 her dedication to justice and equality; 

10 (3) recognizes Congresswoman Chisholm’s dedi11 cated work in promoting the rights of all individuals 

12 in the United States, particularly in the areas of 

13 education, employment, and health care; and 

14 (4) appreciates Congresswoman Chisholm’s ex15 traordinary work, the example of her life, and her 

16 legacy which have inspired and empowered many to 

17 devote their lives to public service. 

Æ 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS