2019 -- H 5981

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LC002235

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL 10, 2019, TO BE THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF "THE LEAGUE

OF WOMEN VOTERS OF RHODE ISLAND"

     Introduced By: Representatives Carson, Ruggiero, Corvese, Speakman, and Donovan

     Date Introduced: April 10, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization that has, over

its distinguished past, played a critical role in fostering civil debate and shaping public policy in

myriad ways to reform government and create a more just and equitable society; and

     WHEREAS, Carrie Chapman Catt, the President of the National Woman Suffrage

Association, proposed the National League of Women Voters as a department of the National

Suffrage Association at its convention in St. Louis, Missouri, on March 19, 1919, a year before

the 19th Amendment was passed; and

     WHEREAS, A state charter was secured for the League of Women Voters of the Rhode

Island State Division by the Rhode Island Equal Suffrage Association on April 1, 1919; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Chapman campaigned tirelessly, across the United States, for passage

of the 19th Amendment and was successful when it was finally passed in 1920. Another key

reason Ms. Chapman founded The League of Women Voters was the hope that by motivating the

twenty million American women who could now vote, they would use their new right in ways

that would influence and shape public policy and the elected officials making these decisions; and

     WHEREAS, Through the years, the League has sponsored numerous “Get Out The Vote”

campaigns, and sponsored and hosted Presidential debates in 1976, 1980, and 1984. The League

has also played a leading role at critical junctures in American history including, President

Truman inviting the League to serve as a consultant to the United States delegation at the United

Nations Charter Conference in 1945. In the 1960s, League membership peaked at 157,000

members. In support of the Civil Rights movement, the League supported equal access to

education and employment; and

     WHEREAS, More recently, the League of Women Voters has strongly advocated in

support of protecting our environment, health care rights and access, and the protection of our

voting rights in addition to supporting legislation to make it easier to register, such as the

National Registration Act of 1993, commonly known as the “Motor-Voter Act” which required

states to offer the opportunity to register to vote to anyone who applies for, or renews a driver’s

license; and

     WHEREAS, For 100 years the League of Women Voters of Rhode Island and the League

of Women Voters of Providence have collaborated with other organizations to increase civic

participation and fight for important reforms such as fair elections, open government, campaign

finance reform, education and environmental protection. It is fitting to honor and recognize the

League’s numerous accomplishments and thank them for their advocacy on behalf of the rights’

of women, minorities, and other historically disadvantaged groups; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby joyously celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the founding of the

League of Women Voters of Rhode Island on April 10, 2019; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Ms. Virginia Kase, Chief Executive Officer,

League of Women Voters, and Ms. Jane Koster, President of the Rhode Island League of Women

Voters.

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