[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 146 (Monday, October 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1736]
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

                        Monday, October 3, 2011

  Ms. LEE of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the League 
of Women Voters of Oakland, 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, the League of Women Voters of Oakland, as well as its 
sister leagues in Berkeley/Albany/Emeryville, 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 6 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 Oakland 
chapter has been a major advocate for ranked choice voting, quality 
education and accessible housing. Likewise, 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. 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.

                          ____________________