IV 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 144 
Acknowledging the 42nd anniversary of the election of Shirley Anita St. 
Hill Chisholm, the first African-American woman in Congress. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 3, 2011 
Ms. LEE of California (for herself, Ms. MOORE, Ms. CLARKE of New York, 
Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas, Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, Mr. MEEKS, Ms. 
BROWN of Florida, Ms. EDWARDS, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. TOWNS, 
Mr. RANGEL, Ms. RICHARDSON, Mr. RUSH, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. 
HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. MORAN, Mr. BOSWELL, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, 
Mr. STARK, Ms. BORDALLO, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. HINCHEY, and Ms. 
WOOLSEY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
Committee on House Administration 
RESOLUTION 
Acknowledging the 42nd anniversary of the election of Shir-
ley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first African-American 
woman in Congress. 
Whereas January 2011 marks the 42nd anniversary of the 
first African-American woman sworn into Congress, Shir-
ley Anita St. Hill Chisholm; 
Whereas when she was elected to Congress in 1968 to serve 
in New York’s 12th Congressional District, Congress-
woman Chisholm surpassed the twin obstacles of racism 
and sexism to win the election; 
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•HRES 144 IH 
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 con-
vention when she boldly disputed the House of Rep-
resentative’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 dis-
trict; 
Whereas after serving on the Committee on Education and 
Labor for several years, Congresswoman Chisholm ac-
cepted a prestigious seat on the Committee on Rules, be-
coming 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 nomina-
tion; 
Whereas although Congresswoman Chisholm was not elected 
as the Democratic candidate, her campaign ‘‘Chisholm 
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•HRES 144 IH 
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 wel-
comed other African-American Congresswomen; 
Whereas today, 15 African-American Congresswomen now 
follow the path paved for them by Congresswoman Chis-
holm; 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 pas-
sionate and capable lawmaker dedicated to improving 
education, housing, and health care: Now, therefore, be 
it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) acknowledges the 42nd 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; 
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