[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 82 (Monday, May 19, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H4086-H4089]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE CONGRESSIONAL 
                                  CLUB

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1026) recognizing the 100th anniversary of the 
founding of the Congressional Club.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1026

       Whereas the Congressional Club was organized in 1908 by 25 
     women who were influential in Washington's official life and 
     who wanted to establish a nonsectarian and nonpolitical group 
     that would promote friendship and cordiality in public life, 
     and founded the Club to bring the wives of Members of 
     Congress together in a hospitable and compatible environment 
     in the Nation's Capital;
       Whereas the Congressional Club was officially established 
     in 1908 by a unanimous vote in both the House and Senate and 
     is the only club in the world to be founded by an act of 
     Congress;
       Whereas the resolution establishing the Congressional Club 
     was signed by President Theodore Roosevelt on May 30, 1908;
       Whereas the Congressional Club's founding was secured by 
     womanly wiles and feminine determination in the passage of 
     the enacting resolution unanimously on May 28, 1908, in order 
     to overcome the opposition of Representative John Sharp 
     Williams of Mississippi, who opposed all women's 
     organizations;
       Whereas when Representative Williams was called out of the 
     chamber by Mrs. Williams, the good-mannered representative 
     obliged and withdrew his opposition and request for a 
     recorded vote, saying, ``upon this particular bill there will 
     not be a roll call, because it would cause a great deal of 
     domestic unhappiness in Washington if there were'';
       Whereas the first Congressional Clubhouse was at 1432 K 
     Street Northwest in Washington, DC, and opened on December 
     11, 1908, with a reception for President-elect and Mrs. 
     William Taft, but after Mrs. John B. Henderson of Missouri 
     donated land on the corner of New Hampshire Avenue and U 
     Street, the cornerstone of the current Clubhouse was laid at 
     that location on May 21, 1914;
       Whereas the Congressional Clubhouse was built by George 
     Totten in the Beaux Arts style and is listed on the National 
     Register of Historic Places, and its mortgage was paid for by 
     the sales of the Club's cookbook and burned by Mrs. Bess 
     Truman in a silver bowl on the 40th Anniversary of the Club's 
     founding;
       Whereas the Congressional Club has remained a good neighbor 
     on the U Street corridor for over 90 years, encouraging the 
     revitalization of the area throughout the time of 
     socioeconomic challenges, and leading the way in upkeep and 
     maintenance of historic property;
       Whereas the Congressional Club honors and supports the 
     people of its neighborhood by inviting the local police and 
     fire departments to the Clubhouse for lunch and delivering 
     trays of Member-made cookies and candies to them during the 
     holidays, by hosting an annual Senior Citizens Appreciation 
     Day luncheon for residents of a neighborhood nursing home, 
     and by hosting an annual holiday brunch for neighborhood 
     children each December which includes a festive meal, gifts, 
     and a visit from Santa;
       Whereas the Congressional Club hosts the annual First 
     Lady's Luncheon every spring since 1912 to honor our First 
     Lady, and donates tens of thousands of dollars to charities 
     in the name of the First Lady annually;
       Whereas the Congressional Club has chosen among its many 
     charitable recipients mentoring programs, United National 
     Indian Tribal Youth, literacy programs, the White House 
     library, youth dance troupes, domestic shelters, and child 
     care centers;
       Whereas the Congressional Club members, upon the suggestion 
     of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, are encouraged to become 
     discussion leaders on national security in their home States, 
     from the trials of World War II to the threats of terrorism;
       Whereas the Congressional Club extends the hand of 
     friendship and goodwill globally by hosting an annual 
     diplomatic reception to entertain the spouses of ambassadors 
     to the United States;
       Whereas the Congressional Club is solely supported by 
     membership dues and the sale of cookbooks, and has never 
     received any Federal funding;
       Whereas the 14 editions of the Congressional Club cookbook, 
     first published in 1928, reflect the life and times of the 
     United States with recipes and signatures of Members of 
     Congress, First Ladies, Ambassadors, and members of the Club;
       Whereas the Congressional Club membership has expanded to 
     include spouses and daughters of Representatives, Senators, 
     Supreme Court Justices, and Cabinet members, and has included 
     7 members who became First Lady: Mrs. Florence Harding, Mrs. 
     Lou Hoover, Mrs. Bess Truman, Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy, Mrs. 
     Patricia Nixon, Mrs. Betty Ford, and Mrs. Barbara Bush;
       Whereas several members of the Congressional Club have been 
     elected to Congress, among whom are Past President Mrs. Lindy 
     Boggs, Mrs. Jo Ann Emerson, Mrs. Lois Capps, Mrs. Mary Bono, 
     and Past President Mrs. Doris Matsui;
       Whereas leading figures in politics, the arts, and the 
     media have visited the Clubhouse for the past 100 years;
       Whereas the Congressional Club is home to the First Lady's 
     gown display, a museum with replica inaugural and ball gowns 
     of the First Ladies from Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln to Mrs. Laura 
     Bush;
       Whereas the Congressional Club is charged with receiving 
     the Presidential couple, honoring the Vice-President and 
     spouse, the

[[Page H4087]]

     Speaker of the House of Representatives and spouse, and the 
     Chief Justice and spouse, and for the orientation of spouses 
     of new Members of Congress; and
       Whereas the Congressional Club will celebrate its 100-year 
     anniversary with festivities and ceremonies during 2008 that 
     include the ringing of the official bells of the United 
     States Congress, a Founder's Day program, a birthday cake at 
     the First Lady's Luncheon, an anniversary postage stamp and 
     cancellation stamp, a 100-year pin/pendant designed by Past 
     President Lois Breaux, and invitations to President and Mrs. 
     Bush, Speaker and Mr. Pelosi, Chief Justice and Mrs. Roberts 
     to visit and celebrate 100 years of public service, civility, 
     and growth at the Congressional Club: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the 100th anniversary of the founding of the 
     Congressional Club;
       (2) acknowledges the contribution of political spouses to 
     public life in America and around the world through the 
     Congressional Club for the past 100 years;
       (3) honors the past and present membership of the 
     Congressional Club;
       (4) encourages all Americans to strive for greater 
     friendship, civility, and generosity in order to heighten 
     public service, elevate the culture, and enrich humanity; and
       (5) encourages all Americans to seek out opportunities to 
     give financially and to volunteer to assist charitable 
     organizations in their own communities.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
California (Ms. Watson) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Issa) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.


                             General Leave

  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from California?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform presents for consideration H. Res. 1026, which 
recognizes the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Congressional 
Club. The measure was introduced by Representative Sanford Bishop from 
the State of Georgia on March 6, 2008, and I, along with over 75 of my 
colleagues, are proud to be cosponsors of this bill.
  H. Res. 1026 was taken up and approved by the Committee on Oversight 
and Government Reform as of April 9, 2008, which brings us up to 
today's consideration of the resolution.
  Originally established on May 20, 1908, for the purpose of providing 
a nonpartisan social setting for the spouses of Members of the House 
and the Senate, the Congressional Club continues to serve its initial 
purpose, although the breadth and activities of the club have greatly 
expanded over the past century, to include such annual events as the 
First Lady's Luncheon and Founders Day.
  I yield now to Mr. Sanford Bishop for as much time as he may consume.
  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. I thank the gentlelady for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with Representatives Todd Tiahrt, 
Jeff Miller, Doris Matsui, Jo Ann Emerson, John Tanner and 76 other 
cosponsors of H. Res. 1026 to commemorate the Congressional Club on its 
100th anniversary.
  The Congressional Club was established in 1908 ``to promote 
sociability among its members, create a common meeting place, and 
further a personal acquaintance among the women of the Congressional 
circle.'' In the early 20th century, Members of Congress actually had 
little time for making friends outside of Congress and/or government. 
It largely fell upon the wives to forge acquaintances in the Nation's 
capital, since many of them led solitary lives while away from their 
home States.
  In 1914, the club moved into a Beaux Arts-style mansion located on 
the corner of New Hampshire Avenue and U Street, Northwest, here in 
Washington, D.C., where it continues to be the meeting place to this 
day. It has maintained its mission of serving as a place for spouses of 
Members of both the House and the Senate to develop nonpartisan, 
bipartisan, I might say, friendships. In addition, its membership has 
been broadened to include both female and male spouses as more women 
have been elected to Congress over the last century.
  The club also counts among its members spouses of Supreme Court 
Justices and the President's Cabinet, as well as former First Ladies. 
It has been a center for service since its founding, providing aid to 
our Nation's soldiers; supporting local police and fire departments; 
hosting receptions for senior citizens, the disadvantaged, young people 
and spouses of ambassadors. It is entirely self-supporting from 
membership dues and the sale of the Congressional Club cookbook, which 
includes recipes and signatures of Members of Congress, First Ladies, 
Ambassadors, as well as members of the club.
  It's interesting to note that 100 years ago this May it took the 
charm of a determined wife of a Member of Congress to get the Federal 
legislation incorporating the club approved by the House of 
Representatives. The House minority leader, John Sharp Williams of 
Mississippi, had opposed the bill and was using parliamentary 
procedures to delay and to defeat the bill.
  History has it that when Mrs. Williams, his spouse, who favored the 
club, heard about her husband's opposition, she invited him to lunch 
the day that the measure was to be considered on the House floor. After 
lunch, he withdrew his opposition and his request for a recorded vote, 
saying that, ``It is the opinion of the gentleman from Mississippi that 
there will not be a roll call because it would cause a great deal of 
unhappiness in Washington.''
  As the proud spouse of the current president of the Congressional 
Club, Vivian Creighton Bishop, I'm pleased to be the sponsor of this 
resolution commemorating the club on reaching this important milestone.
  I want to commend a number of people for their outstanding work in 
bringing this resolution to the floor: Richard Henkle on Congressman 
Tiahrt's staff; Doug Thompson on Congressman Tanner's staff; Denise 
Wilson on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee; and 
Jonathan Halpern on my staff. I also would like to thank Vicki Tiahrt, 
Susie Skelton and Lydia de La Vina De Foley for their excellent efforts 
in support of the club and, of course, in support of this resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I again thank my colleagues who are cosponsors for their 
extraordinary support of this resolution, and I urge its immediate 
adoption.

                              {time}  1400

  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I, too, rise in support of this resolution. I 
certainly believe that 100 years of the attempts by spouses to have 
this body work together in a better, more collegial fashion is 
noteworthy.
  Today, though, as we honor the work of our spouses, and particularly 
those who would say that if, in fact, you don't do what I'd like you to 
do, it could cause a great deal of domestic unhappiness--I believe was 
the line--in Washington, we should take note that this body is not 
operating in a collegial fashion. This body has, in fact, broken down. 
The concept of bipartisan behavior, including the long tradition of a 
motion to recommit, a long tradition of amendments and opportunities 
for ideas to be exchanged on and off the dais, has broken down.
  So I do think it's important that we turn to recognizing an effort 
made 100 years ago at a time in which Members of Congress--House, 
Senate, Republican, Democrat--went to dinner together in each other's 
homes. Their children played together. They, in fact, lived here in 
Washington.
  Living here in Washington has become sort of a term for misconduct. 
The idea that you would come and that you would work with 434 of your 
colleagues to make a better America, that you would walk across the 
Capitol and work with 100 Senators to make a better America seems to 
have fallen out of favor.
  Today, unfortunately, we spend a lot of time meeting in our 
conferences on a partisan basis. In those conferences we ask, well, how 
can we beat them? How can we beat them now? How can we beat them in the 
election? We should be asking, how do we work together for a better 
government and a better America?
  So I hope that the efforts of this club, which have been long, hard, 
and successful in many, many ways certainly in bringing our spouses 
together, certainly in activities for the community, will be a starting 
point today for us looking across the aisle and asking, why is it that 
we're afraid to have dinner together? Why is it that our meetings are 
Republicans with Republicans and Democrats with Democrats? We need to 
work together.

[[Page H4088]]

  We have big problems in America today; some of them are obvious to 
Americans. We talk of the war and we talk of gas prices, we even talk 
of the Pelosi premium. Well, I believe it's a Pelosi premium, but it's 
a premium built on years of other people's mistakes and other people's 
watches.
  Today, I use the opportunity given to me to talk about this important 
bipartisan resolution to say, let's solve gas and oil problems on a 
bipartisan basis. Let's deal with the challenges we face in Iraq and 
Afghanistan on a bipartisan basis. Let's deal with the immigration 
reform challenge on a bipartisan basis. Most of all, let's make sure 
that America's next 100 years is 100 years of success in competing 
worldwide. We can do this if we do it on a bipartisan basis. One 
hundred years ago, mostly women worked tirelessly to form an 
organization to help us do just that. Let's commit ourselves to doing 
just that today.
  With that, I yield back the balance of my time and urge support.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, for its rich history and ongoing traditions, 
I hope that we can come together as a body representing Americans far 
and wide, and in good humor, and following the procedures of this 
House, that we join together in recognizing the 100th anniversary of 
the Congressional Club. They do stand for bipartisanship. They do stand 
for working together. We, indeed, can eat together as fellows, friends, 
partners in making policy. And so let's use the example of this 
Congressional Club by agreeing to pass H. Res. 1026.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to yield the remaining time to the man from 
Missouri, the Honorable Ike Skelton.
  Mr. SKELTON. I certainly thank the gentlelady from California for her 
addition and leadership on this bill, as well as my friend from Georgia 
(Mr. Bishop) for sponsoring it.
  It's with a great deal of understanding as well as a bit of nostalgia 
that I speak in favor of this resolution.
  I know full well of the bipartisanship of which my friends from 
California speak. I know full well of the work that this Congressional 
Club has done over, now that I've witnessed, nearly 32 years. I know of 
the friendships, both Democrat and Republican, that have been formed 
and have been forged together that will last a lifetime. I know, and I 
hope this body will fully recognize the fact that this Congressional 
Club has set forth the real standard on understanding one another in 
this body in the full spirit of bipartisanship.
  It was my late wife, Susie, who had the honor to serve as the 
Treasurer of this Congressional Club in 1983 and 1984, and again as 
President of the Club in 1987 and 1988. And it should be of note that 
our colleague from California, Doris Matsui, served as an officer in 
the Club simultaneously with my late wife, Susie.
  It is an excellent resolution for an excellent organization. I hope 
the next 100 years will see the same effort in friendship and 
bipartisanship reign as it has in the past.
  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 1026, 
recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Congressional 
Club. Founded by an act of Congress in 1908 and signed into law by 
President Theodore Roosevelt, the Congressional Club has been a home 
away from home for spouses of Members of Congress, fostering 
friendships across party and geographical lines.
  The Congressional clubhouse was constructed in 1914, and since that 
time the club has been a vital and influential member of the U-Street 
corridor community, encouraging revitalization of the area by hosting 
programs with inner-city children, planning appreciation days at local 
nursing homes with senior citizens, and honoring the District's fire 
and police departments.
  Mr. Speaker, the generosity of the Congressional Club members extends 
well beyond the District of Columbia. Club members have raised funds 
for the purchase of two evacuation planes for wounded soldiers, and 
donate tens of thousands of dollars to charity on an annual basis.
  As a member of the Congressional Club now for several years, my wife 
Billie Gingrey has seen first-hand how the club has been a good friend 
and neighbor to the Washington, DC, community. I encourage all Members 
to join me today in recognizing the 100th anniversary of the 
Congressional Club, and to thank its members for their work and 
contributions to the community.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise to today in support of 
House Resolution 1026, recognizing the 100th anniversary of the 
Congressional Club. One hundred years ago, the Congressional Club was 
founded to promote friendship among the spouses of Members of Congress. 
While keeping true to its purpose, the club throughout the years has 
become much more. Not only does this distinctive club build 
relationships between the two political parties, but it also organizes 
charity events and diplomatic receptions. Every spring since 1912, the 
spouses gather to host a luncheon in honor of our First Lady, and they 
donate tens of thousands of dollars to charities in her name. Many of 
the club's charitable recipients include mentoring programs, literacy 
programs, the White House library, youth dance troupes, domestic 
shelters, and child care centers.
  Fulfilling their own mission to encourage all Americans to strive for 
greater friendship, civility, and generosity in order to heighten 
public service, elevate the culture, and enrich humanity; the spouses 
extend their hands globally in friendship and goodwill by hosting an 
annual diplomatic reception to entertain the spouses of Ambassadors to 
the United States. The Congressional Club encourages all Americans to 
seek out opportunities to give support and to volunteer to assist 
charitable organizations in their own communities.
  I am proud and honored that my wife, Vicki Miller, is the incoming 
president of the Congressional Club next year. She follows in the 
footsteps of admirable Presidents including Mrs. Vivian Bishop, Mrs. 
Lindy Boggs, Mrs. Jo Ann Emerson, Mrs. Lois Capps, Mrs. Mary Bono Mack, 
and Ms. Doris Matsui. I know Vicki is looking forward to carrying on 
the friendships and bipartisan traditions of the club.
  Mr. Speaker, today I would like to congratulate the Congressional 
Club on its 100th anniversary and to recognize these spouses in their 
efforts to promote the greater good both here at home and abroad. May 
God bless them and may the Congressional Club continue in their 
friendship and charitable efforts for many years to come.
  Mr. TANCREDO. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 1026, 
recognizing the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Congressional 
Club.
  As the resolution states, the club was ``organized in 1908 by 25 
women who were influential in Washington's official life and who wanted 
to establish a nonsectarian and nonpolitical group that would promote 
friendship and cordiality in public life.''
  Congressional spouses are active in the group, which is one of 
Washington's oldest and most venerable social clubs.
  The Congressional Club has hosted the annual First Lady's luncheon 
for nearly a century, and makes numerous charitable donations in the 
name of the First Lady each year. The club also plays host to the 
spouses of foreign ambassadors serving here in the U.S.
  For 100 years, the Congressional Club has contributed its time and 
efforts to numerous charitable causes, improved the cultural atmosphere 
in Washington, and extended a hand of friendship to the foreign 
diplomatic corps of countless nations.
  The club deserves our recognition today, and I am proud to be a 
cosponsor of this resolution.
  Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H. Res. 1026, a resolution 
recognizing the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the Congressional 
Club.
  From its very start, the Congressional Club has helped the spouses of 
Members to come together on a nonpartisan basis to form friendships and 
perform public service.
  The role of the Congressional Club is as essential now as it was when 
the club was formed in 1908. Back then, Members and spouses often had 
to spend a long time travelling to Washington. Once here, spouses in 
particular faced the challenge of developing acquaintances and 
friendships in a new city and finding ways to share their talents to 
benefit the community and their country.
  The club provided a refreshing nonpolitical atmosphere for 
friendships and charitable activities, a hallmark that continues to 
this day. Its headquarters at New Hampshire Avenue and U Street is 
listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and serves as an 
architectural anchor for the neighborhood.
  Today, the Congressional Club continues to be a haven of civility and 
culture where the spouses of Members can meet outside of a political 
world that sometimes can be all-consuming and far too partisan. It is a 
testament to the positive things that happen in this town when creative 
and talented people get together for the sole purpose of serving the 
public good.
  The Congressional Club has provided charitable support to literacy 
programs, domestic shelters, child care and seniors citizens, the White 
House library and United National Indian Tribal Youth. It brightens the 
holidays every December by delivering cookies to our local police and 
fire departments and hosting luncheons for nursing home residents and 
neighborhood children.

[[Page H4089]]

  One of its best-known events is the First Ladies luncheon, which 
funds charitable activities. My wife Linda was chair of the First 
Ladies luncheon in 2007, so I well appreciate the tremendous amount of 
planning and organization that goes into making this such an 
anticipated and successful event.
  The vital role that the Congressional Club plays in the life of the 
Capitol Hill community and this city at large is evident by the fact 
that it is the only club in the Nation founded by an act of Congress.
  With its tradition of civility and service, the Congressional Club 
remains as important to the life of the U.S. Congress as it was when it 
was founded 100 years ago. I extend my sincere commendations to all of 
its members, past and present, and wish the club all the best on this 
memorable centennial.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1026.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________