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. SCHA-
KOWSKY, 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. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:04 Nov 09, 2018
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6652
E:\BILLS\HR1139.IH
HR1139
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
•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 immi-
grant parents, Charles and Ruby Seale St. Hill; 
Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm graduated from Brooklyn 
College in 1946 with a bachelor of arts degree in soci-
ology 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 obsta-
cles 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 Representa-
tives on which she could better serve her inner-city dis-
trict in Brooklyn, New York; 
Whereas after serving on the Committee on Education and 
Labor for several years, Congresswoman Chisholm ac-
cepted 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 nomina-
tion from a major political party for President of the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:04 Nov 09, 2018
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1139.IH
HR1139
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1139 IH 
United States, which she sought on the Democratic tick-
et; 
Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm campaigned in the pri-
maries of 12 States, won 28 delegates, and received 152 
first ballot votes at the national convention for the nomi-
nation 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 cham-
pion 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 Supple-
mental 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; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:04 Nov 09, 2018
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1139.IH
HR1139
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1139 IH 
Whereas in addition to her service as a legislator, Congress-
woman 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 ed-
ucator; 
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 Am-
bassador 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 post-
humously 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 lead-
ership which transcends the political arena: Now, there-
fore, be it 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:04 Nov 09, 2018
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6300
E:\BILLS\HR1139.IH
HR1139
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
•HRES 1139 IH 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) acknowledges the 50th anniversary of the 
election of Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first 
African-American woman in Congress; 
(2) pays tribute to the service of Congress-
woman Shirley Chisholm, her work to improve the 
lives of women and minorities, her steadfast commit-
ment to demonstrating the power of compassion, and 
her dedication to justice and equality; 
(3) recognizes Congresswoman Chisholm’s dedi-
cated 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 ex-
traordinary work, the example of her life, and her 
legacy which have inspired and empowered many to 
devote their lives to public service. 
Æ 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
23:04 Nov 09, 2018
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\HR1139.IH
HR1139
pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS