[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 84 (Wednesday, May 21, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1001-E1002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. TODD TIAHRT

                               of Kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 19, 2008

  Mr. TIAHRT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the Congressional Club on 
the occasion of their Founder's Day Celebration and their 100th 
anniversary. I am grateful to the Congressional Club for embracing my 
family since I was elected to the House in 1994. It has played such an 
important role in our lives that my wife, Vicki Holland Tiahrt, served 
as president of the Club in 2005 and 2006, and remains very involved. 
This organization, founded in 1908 by a unanimous act of Congress, has 
provided a setting for bipartisan friendships for 100 years. The only 
club to be commissioned by an act of Congress, the bill was signed by 
Teddy Roosevelt, who knew the value of a loving wife. When his wife 
passed away, President Roosevelt lamented, ``The light has gone out of 
my life.''
  It was so wise for Congress in 1908 to form the Congressional Club 
for wives. While never receiving any tax dollars or public money, and 
governed by a bipartisan board, the Congressional Club has remained a 
home away from home for spouses, a safe place for sharing the trials of 
public life, and for developing bipartisan friendships that encourage 
civility and good will in government. The membership and relationships 
extend to the administration of the White House and the Supreme Court.
  A clubhouse was built in 1914 at 2001 New Hampshire Avenue, in 
Northeast (Washington). The land was donated by Mary Foote Henderson 
and chosen because the women could look south down 16th Street and see 
the White House. Immediately, embassies began building in that area in 
order to be close to the Congressional Club. The Club has been a good 
neighbor for nearly a century, staying when others left as the area 
suffered urban decay. The women paid their mortgage and

[[Page E1002]]

kept their property in good repair with money raised from dues and the 
selling of 14 published editions of the Congressional Cookbook. Due to 
its success, the club was able to pay off its mortgage in 1948. To 
commemorate the occasion, Club member and First Lady Bess Truman 
ceremonially burned the papers at the 40th anniversary celebration. 
Since that time, their funds have been given to charity, and been used 
to pay for the upkeep of this historic home. The presence of the 
Congressional Clubhouse helped promote renewal in the DuPont Circle 
neighborhood until finally the U Street corridor is booming and busy 
again. The Clubhouse is on the National Register of historic places.
  This is much more than just a social club. During World War I, the 
women rolled bandages and kept a room at Union Station for traveling 
soldiers. During World War II, Eleanor Roosevelt encouraged the women 
to promote patriotism and public safety in their home districts as part 
of the war effort. After September 11, the spouses were given a 
briefing to share with their home districts about how to prepare their 
families and communities for the possibility of additional terrorist 
attacks.
  For a century now, spouses have done inner-city charity work. Every 
December, a Christmas party hosts underprivileged children who 
celebrate the season with gifts and a holiday meal, the singing of 
carols and making of crafts with Congressional families. At the end of 
each school year, a pizza party is held at the Club for at-risk inner 
city children. The wives have encouraged a sense of community by 
honoring the local fire and police departments and hosting the annual 
appreciation day for local nursing home senior citizens.
  They continue to contribute to the lives of Congressional families by 
providing orientation for spouses of newly elected Members, annually 
honoring the First Lady and giving tens of thousands of dollars to a 
charity in her name. Their regular luncheons provide programs of 
education and entertainment.
  Also worth mentioning is the global reach of the spouses through the 
annual honoring of ambassadors' wives. This past week, the 
Congressional Club hosted over 50 countries, who modeled fashions from 
their native land. This extension of the hand of friendship around the 
world surely promotes good will and encourages understanding of our 
culture of freedom and equality for all people.
  I would also be remiss if I did not mention the work of the Club's 
Anniversary Committee, and its president, my beloved wife, Vicki. They 
have put together a number of events celebrating the anniversary, 
including a ringing of the official bells of the United States 
Congress, a birthday cake at the annual First Lady's luncheon, and a 
commemorative cancellation stamp.
  It is fitting that this Congress should honor the good work of our 
political spouses and of the Congressional Club. In a time of extreme 
partisanship that all too often poisons relationships and stymies 
legislative action, the Congressional Club serves as a poignant 
reminder of life without partisanship. I urge my colleagues to join me 
in recognizing Congressional Club and their 100 years of friendship and 
community service.

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