IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 533 
Recognizing Helen Thomas for her pioneering career as a woman in jour-
nalism, her lifelong commitment to journalistic independence as an essen-
tial pillar of American democracy, and her unflagging and honest cov-
erage of every President of the United States since John F. Kennedy. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 11, 2009 
Ms. LEE of California submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing Helen Thomas for her pioneering career as a 
woman in journalism, her lifelong commitment to jour-
nalistic independence as an essential pillar of American 
democracy, and her unflagging and honest coverage of 
every President of the United States since John F. Ken-
nedy. 
Whereas Helen Thomas was born on August 4, 1920, in Win-
chester, Kentucky; 
Whereas Helen Thomas attended public schools in Detroit, 
Michigan, and graduated from Wayne State University in 
1942; 
Whereas Helen Thomas started her career in journalism as 
a copy girl on the Washington Daily News; 
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•HRES 533 IH 
Whereas Helen Thomas joined United Press International 
(UPI) in 1943 and reported on women’s topics for their 
radio wire service; 
Whereas beginning in 1955, Helen Thomas had several re-
porting assignments revolving around the Federal Gov-
ernment, including the Department of Justice, Federal 
Bureau of Investigation, Department of Health, Edu-
cation, and Welfare, and Capitol Hill; 
Whereas Helen Thomas began covering then President-elect 
John F. Kennedy in 1960 and followed him to the White 
House in 1961 as a UPI correspondent; 
Whereas during the Kennedy administration, Helen Thomas 
was the first woman to close a presidential news con-
ference with the now traditional salutation, ‘‘Thank you, 
Mr. President’’; 
Whereas Helen Thomas was the only female print journalist 
to travel with President Richard Nixon to China during 
his historic trip in 1972; 
Whereas Helen Thomas has covered every White House Eco-
nomic Summit since 1975; 
Whereas Helen Thomas served as UPI’s White House Bu-
reau Chief for over 25 years and authored a column, 
‘‘Backstairs at the White House’’, which provided a dis-
tinctive insider’s view of presidential administrations; 
Whereas Helen Thomas was the first female officer of the 
National Press Club after it opened its doors to women 
for the first time in 1971; 
Whereas Helen Thomas was the first woman officer of the 
White House Correspondents Association and became its 
first woman president in 1975; 
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•HRES 533 IH 
Whereas in 1975, Helen Thomas also became the first 
woman member of the oldest journalistic organization in 
Washington, DC, the Gridiron Club, which represents 
major newspapers, news services, news magazines, and 
broadcast networks, and was elected as its first woman 
president in 1993; 
Whereas Helen Thomas has been named the ‘‘Newspaper 
Woman of Washington’’ by the American Newspaper 
Women’s Club, ‘‘Woman of the Year’’ by Ladies Home 
Journal, and one of the most influential women in Amer-
ica by the World Almanac; 
Whereas in 1998, Helen Thomas was the inaugural recipient 
of the Helen Thomas Lifetime Achievement Award, now 
awarded annually to an individual or individuals for a 
lifetime of contribution to the journalism profession; 
Whereas as a central figure of the White House Press corps, 
Helen Thomas is commonly referred to as ‘‘First Lady 
of the Press’’ or ‘‘Dean of the White House Press 
Corps’’; and 
Whereas Helen Thomas continues to report on the White 
House and regularly ask pointed questions of the Obama 
Administration: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives recog-
nizes Helen Thomas for her pioneering career as a woman 
in journalism, her lifelong commitment to journalistic 
independence as an essential pillar of American democ-
racy, and her unflagging and honest coverage of every 
President of the United States since John F. Kennedy. 
Æ 
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