Washington, DC –
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) today congratulated the League of Women Voters on their milestone 90
^th anniversary. To commemorate their founding on February 14, 1920, Senator Cardin introduced a resolution recognizing the profound impact the League of Women Voters has had on American democracy and our nation’s history. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) co-sponsored the resolution.

 

“For the past 90 years, the League of Women Voters has played an active role in educating not just women, but the entire American public about our democracy and about those individuals who are candidates for elective office. Through its more than 850 chapters nationwide – including 16 in Maryland – the League has helped make our democracy stronger by sponsoring debates that educate citizens and by making voter and public policy information easily accessible. The League also has been instrumental in promoting democracy and civil society abroad.

 

“Throughout my career in public service, I have participated in many debates sponsored by the League of Women Voters, and I have seen first-hand the impact that the League has had on educating the voters about the issues that most directly affect them. We are a stronger democracy thanks to the continuing efforts of the League of Women Voters and we are fortunate such an organization exists.”

 

The full text of Senator Cardin’s resolution follows. The resolution has not been approved by the Senate, at this time.

 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

Mr. CARDIN (for himself and Mr. DURBIN) submitted the following resolution;

 

RESOLUTION

Designating February 14, 2010, as ”League of Women Voters Democracy Day”, in commemoration of the 90
^th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters.

 

Whereas on February 14, 1920, during the convention of the National American Woman Suffrage Association in Chicago, Illinois, the League of Women Voters was founded by Carrie Chapman Catt and many of the other female leaders who played instrumental roles in the women’s suffrage movement;

 

Whereas since its founding, the League of Women Voters has played an active role in educating the citizens of the United States about our Nation’s democratic system and the candidates who run for elected office;

 

Whereas the League of Women Voters continues to play an important role in helping to shape public policy by ensuring that citizens are well informed;

 

Whereas the League of Women Voters has helped to strengthen our democratic system by sponsoring debates that educate citizens and by making voter information more easily accessible to all individuals;

 

Whereas the League of Women Voters has developed an election information website, vote411.org, that serves as an invaluable resource for many citizens, providing critical information on voter registration and on local, State, and Federal issues;

 

Whereas the enduring vitality and resonance of the League of Women Voters stems from its unique decentralized structure as a strictly non-partisan and wholeheartedly grassroots political organization;

 

Whereas there are chapters of the League of Women Voters in all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Hong Kong, in addition to the hundreds of local chapters across the Nation;

 

Whereas the League of Women Voters is one of the original grassroots citizen networks, directed by the consensus of its members throughout the United States;

 

Whereas the League of Women Voters remains true to its basic purpose of making democracy work for all citizens;

 

Whereas the League of Women Voters has been an instrumental force in the spread of democracy around the world, as it helped lead efforts to establish the United Nations and became one of the first organizations in this Nation to be officially recognized by the United Nations as a non-governmental organization; and

 

Whereas the League of Women Voters makes a difference in the lives of citizens because of the energy and passion of thousands of members that are committed to its principles: Now, therefore, be it

 

Resolved, That the Senate-

(1)
   designates February 14, 2010, as ”League of Women Voters Democracy Day”, in commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the founding of the League of Women Voters; and

(2)
   requests the Secretary of the Senate to transmit an enrolled copy of this resolution for appropriate display to the national headquarters of the League of Woman Voters, as an expression of the best wishes of the Senate for a wonderful year of celebration.