Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-12), joined by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-8), Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-43), and Rep. Yvette Clarke (NY-9) today introduced a bill to honor the work and legacy of the late Shirley Chisholm with a Congressional Gold Medal, which serves as the highest expression of national gratitude for distinguished service and achievements. Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman to serve in the United States Congress, and the first woman and first African American to run for President of the United States. The bill has 98 cosponsors in the 118th Congress including co-leads.
“It brings me great joy to introduce this bill to honor my mentor, friend, and the first politician who I felt spoke to people like me: the fierce, brilliant Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm,” said Rep. Lee. “A tireless voice for the marginalized, Congresswoman Chisholm spent her career fighting for upward economic mobility for working people—especially people of color. She called attention to our bloated Pentagon budget and the need to invest in communities. She was a staunch advocate for reproductive freedom and affordable healthcare. Her commitment to these fights and more provided the opportunity for others to speak openly and passionately about the issues near to their hearts in Congress – myself included. Despite the pervasive racism and sexism, she faced during her lifetime, she remained ‘unbought and unbossed.’ I am honored to continue on the Chisholm trail in the fight for civil rights, equality, and justice, and to award her legacy with Congress’ highest expression of gratitude.”
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Congresswoman Chisholm served seven terms in the U.S. House of Representatives until 1982. She was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus and has influenced and inspired generations of African American and female elected officials. A trailblazer in American politics, she fearlessly advocated for the rights of the impoverished and raised the profile of major issues facing communities of color.
118th Original Cosponsors (98): Representatives Adams, Allred, Balint, Beatty, Bera, Beyer Jr., Bishop Jr., Blumenauer, Blunt Rochester, Bonamici, Bowman, Brown, Bush, Carter, Carson, Cherfilus-McCormick, Casten, Castor, Cleaver, Clarke, Cohen, Costa, Crockett, Davis, Davis, Dean, DelBene, DeSaulnier, Dingell, Espaillat, Evans, Foster, Frankel, Gallego, Garamendi, Garcia, Green, Grijalva, Hayes, Henderson, Higgins, Holmes Norton, Ivey, Jacobs, Jackson Lee, Jayapal, Kelly, Kilmer, Larsen, Susie Lee, Lynch, Lieu, McBath, McCollum, McGovern, Meeks, Meng, Mfume, Moore, Mullin, Omar, Panetta, Payne Jr., Pingree, Pocan, Pressley, Quigley, Raskin, Ruiz, Ruppersberger, Ross, Sanchez, Schakowsky, Schiff, Scott, Sewell, Sherman, Sherrill, Stansbury, Strickland, Takano, Thanedar, Thompson, Titus, Tlaib, Tonko, Torres, Trone, Trahan, Underwood, Vargas, Velazquez, Watson Coleman, and Wilson.
