[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 689 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 689

  Acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the election to the House of 
 Representatives of Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first African-
                      American woman in Congress.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 15, 2018

 Mr. Schumer submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Acknowledging the 50th anniversary of the election to the House of 
 Representatives of Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first African-
                      American woman in Congress.

Whereas November 5, 2018, marks the 50th anniversary of the election to the 
        House of Representatives of Shirley Anita St. Hill Chisholm, the first 
        African-American woman in Congress;
Whereas Shirley Anita St. Hill was born in Brooklyn, New York, on November 30, 
        1924, to Caribbean immigrant parents, Charles and Ruby Seale St. Hill;
Whereas Shirley Chisholm graduated from Brooklyn College in 1946 with a Bachelor 
        of Arts degree in sociology and from Columbia University in 1952 with a 
        Master of Arts degree in early childhood education;
Whereas Shirley Chisholm was the second African American elected to the New York 
        State Legislature in 1964 and served honorably until 1968;
Whereas Shirley Chisholm overcame the twin obstacles of racism and sexism to win 
        election to the House of Representatives in 1968;
Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm served 7 terms as a Member of Congress, from 1969 
        until 1983;
Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was a fierce critic of the seniority system in 
        Congress, protested her assignment in 1969 to the Committee on 
        Agriculture of the House of Representatives, and won reassignment to a 
        congressional committee on which she could better serve her inner-city 
        district in Brooklyn, New York;
Whereas, after serving on the Committee on Education and Labor of the House of 
        Representatives for several years, Congresswoman Chisholm accepted a 
        prestigious seat on the Committee on Rules of the House of 
        Representatives, becoming the first African American and second woman 
        ever to serve on the powerful committee;
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 United States, which she sought on the Democratic 
        ticket;
Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm campaigned in the presidential 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 worked to expand the Food Stamp Program (later 
        renamed as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and was 
        instrumental in the establishment of the Special Supplemental Nutrition 
        Program for Women, Infants, and Children (commonly known as ``WIC'');
Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm was a cofounder of the Congressional Black Caucus 
        in 1971;
Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm served as the Secretary of the House Democratic 
        Caucus;
Whereas Shirley Chisholm was a cofounder of the National Organization for Women;
Whereas Congresswoman Chisholm retired honorably from Congress in 1983;
Whereas, in addition to her service as a legislator, Shirley Chisholm worked to 
        improve society as a nursery school teacher, a director of a childcare 
        facility, a consultant for the New York Department of Social Services, 
        and an educator;
Whereas, from 1983 to 1987, Shirley Chisholm taught sociology and politics at 
        Mount Holyoke College;
Whereas, in 1993, President Bill Clinton nominated Shirley Chisholm to serve as 
        United States Ambassador to Jamaica, but her health prevented her from 
        accepting the position;
Whereas, in 1993, Shirley Chisholm was inducted into the National Women's Hall 
        of Fame;
Whereas, on January 1, 2005, Shirley 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 stamp series;
Whereas, on November 24, 2015, Shirley Chisholm was posthumously awarded the 
        Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian honor;
Whereas, on June 12, 2001, the House of Representatives unanimously agreed to H. 
        Res. 97, recognizing the enduring contributions and heroic achievements 
        of Shirley 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
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) acknowledges the 50th anniversary of the election to 
        the House of Representatives of Shirley Anita St. Hill 
        Chisholm, the first African-American woman in Congress;
            (2) pays tribute to the service of Congresswoman 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 the dedicated work of Congresswoman Chisholm 
        in promoting the rights of all individuals in the United 
        States, particularly in the areas of education, employment, and 
        health care; and
            (4) appreciates the extraordinary work of Congresswoman 
        Chisholm, the example of her life, and her legacy which have 
        inspired and empowered many to devote their lives to public 
        service.
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