[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 181 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S7055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 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

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

                              S. Res. 689

       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 Congressman 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 Congressman 
     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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