A concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 439) honoring the contributions and achievements of former Congresswoman Lindy Boggs (D-LA) on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues (CCWI) passed the House, 378-0, on July 22. The same resolution (H. Con. Res. 439) passed the Senate by unanimous consent on July 24.
Rep. Boggs was one of the founders of the Congresswomen’s Caucus, as the CCWI was then named, and helped to establish the Select Committee on Children, Youth, and Families. In addition, Rep. Boggs was the first woman elected to the House from the State of Louisiana and was the first woman to chair a national political convention in 1976, leading to the nomination of former President Jimmy Carter. Following her service in the House from March 30, 1973, to January 3, 1991, she was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican and served in that capacity from December 16, 1997, to March 1, 2001.
House Action In her support of the resolution, Rep. Patsy Mink (D-HI) explained, “I was one of only 16 women Members of the House of Representatives in March 1973.” She continued, “In 1977, Lindy and 14 other women representatives held the first meeting of the Congresswomen’s Caucus in the Congresswomen’s Reading Room.” She added, “The Caucus was a bipartisan organization from its inception, showing that Democratic and Republican Congresswomen could work together on issues to improve the lives of women and their families.”
“These women met to discuss Social Security and pension reform, child care and job training,” said Rep. Connie Morella (R-MD). “They also prioritized securing government contracts for women-owned businesses,” she continued and added, “We named the Congresswomen’s Reading Room for Lindy Boggs. How appropriate, because of her strength, her courage, her caring and her fairness.”
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) noted, “She was instrumental in ensuring that women had access to credit. She fought for civil rights, pay equity for women, protection of the exploited and assistance to the underprivileged.”
Rep. David Vitter (R-LA), sponsor of the resolution, agreed. “Marie Corinne Morrison Claiborne Boggs is beloved throughout Louisiana, but has had an impact on events that affect the entire country and indeed the world,” he said. “She has served as a congresswoman, as an ambassador, as a chair of political conventions, as someone who has contributed so much to her state and country,” he explained, and added, “In doing so, she pioneered new frontiers for women and has created a true legacy of service, patriotism, and honor.”
Senate Action “The reasons to honor Lindy go far beyond a recitation of her resume, distinguished as it may be,” said Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA). “Lindy Boggs continues to be a role model for those of us in Congress and thousands of young women across this country who aspire to public service,” she noted. “She used her Southern charm and keen political mind to become one of the most formidable forces in the U.S. House of Representatives. She served as a mentor and teacher to me as well as the Congresswomen who followed her. She not only taught them the rules and expectations of Member of Congress, she taught us how to be a strong, independent women,” she added.
