Mr. President, I would like to commemorate the League of Women Voters on the occasion of its 90
th anniversary.
th anniversary.
The League of Women Voters was founded in Chicago on February 14, 1920, by many of the same women leaders who were part of the women’s suffrage movement. Ever since that date 90 years ago, the League has played an active role in educating the American public about our democracy and about those who are running for elective office.
Carrie Chapman Catt founded the organization with a call to women of all parties and political leanings to come together in order to help pass legislation that would protect and aid major political movements in the future. Her non-partisan organization would soon take on a prominent role in United States politics through its efforts on behalf of citizen education and advocacy. Today, there are more than 850 chapters across the country advancing Chapman Catt’s original idea, including 16 local Leagues in Maryland.
The League of Women Voters continues to play an important role in helping shape public policy by ensuring that the public is well informed. Not only has the League been active on the policy front, but it has helped make our democracy stronger by sponsoring debates that educate citizens and by making voter information easily accessible. The League’s election information web site — vote411.org — is an invaluable resource for many Americans, providing information on voter registration and on local, state and national issues.
Throughout my career in public service, I have participated in many League of Women Voters debates, 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.
I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the profound impact the League of Women Voters has had on our nation throughout its 90-year history. I look forward to working with the League in the future to ensure that Marylanders have the information they need to make informed decisions on Election Day.
