[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 131 (Wednesday, September 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1545]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  HONORING THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 7, 2011

  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the League of Women 
Voters of Berkeley, who are celebrating 100 years of women voting in 
California, starting with the historic and narrowly won California 
State referendum and the first California Civic League, Berkeley Forum 
led by Miss Blanche Morse in 1911. It is an immense honor to represent 
Bay Area communities who have truly been at the forefront of a 
century's worth of major achievements in social justice.
  Over the years, what is now the League of Women Voters of Berkeley/
Albany/Emeryville, as well as its sister leagues in Oakland, Piedmont, 
and the surrounding Bay Area, have worked tirelessly to advocate, 
educate, and champion citizens' informed and active participation in 
government and civic affairs.
  An expansive and well-organized network of committed chapters, over 
4,000 members in 21 local Leagues comprise the League of Women Voters 
of the Bay Area, LWVBA, which took shape in 1959. On a national scale, 
the League of Women Voters of the United States, LWVUS, was founded 
during the 1920 convention of the National American Woman Suffrage 
Association, held just six months before the 19th Amendment was 
ratified. Thus, after a 72-year struggle, the U.S. Constitution finally 
reflected what women in the Bay Area and California had fought to 
achieve a decade earlier.
  As members of the League of Women Voters, you are part of a 
magnificent legacy. Additionally, you have pledged to continue to be 
the kind of bold pioneers and astute advocates who led us to this 
point. Therefore, I would like to thank you for your dedicated service 
in guiding and encouraging our community toward civic engagement.
  Moreover, the League has flexed its power in shaping public policy 
through the strength of its grassroots organization and by maintaining 
its important stance of non-partisanship. For example, the Berkeley, 
Albany, Emeryville chapter has worked extensively on advocating for 
fair housing and the promotion of social resources, including mental 
health, education, juvenile justice, and senior services. Likewise, the 
Oakland chapter has been a major advocate for ranked choice voting, 
quality education, and accessible housing. And, the Piedmont chapter 
holds positions in the areas of social policy, diversity, and natural 
resources, to name a few.
  On behalf of the residents of California's 9th Congressional 
District, I would like to congratulate you on this milestone and thank 
you for the invaluable service you provide to our community. I wish the 
League of Women Voters' local, State, and national members all the best 
as you forge ahead toward another 100 years of protecting the rights of 
voters, promoting sound policy, and creating a more just and peaceful 
world.

                          ____________________