September 18, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 150 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1170-E1171]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IN 
                         SYRACUSE AND NEW YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOHN KATKO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 2019

  Mr. KATKO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th Anniversary 
of the League of

[[Page E1171]]

Women Voters in Syracuse and New York on September 19, 2019. For 100 
years, the League of Women Voters has successfully engaged and educated 
millions of women, promoted female participation in government, and 
advocated for significant public policy change.
  Tracing its origins to the National American Woman Suffrage 
Association, the League of Women Voters in Syracuse and New York was 
created after New York State gave women the right to vote in 1917. 
Since its founding, the League has operated as a nonpartisan 
organization, dedicated to educating and empowering women voters. In 
the spirit of this mission, the League of Women Voters today puts out 
periodic legislative newsletters to inform members on major public 
policy issues. Additionally, the League of Women Voters works to 
improve female participation in elections by hosting voter registration 
events and Get-Out-The Vote drives.
  Along with improving civic education and participation in government, 
the League of Women Voters in Syracuse and New York undertakes advocacy 
efforts at the national, state, and local levels. As part of a national 
effort, the League's first historic legislative success came with the 
passage of the Sheppard-Tower Act, which provided federal aid to 
maternal and child programs. Later, the League advocated for the Social 
Security and Food and Drugs Act, which passed in 1938 to remove 
hundreds of federal jobs from the spoils system and place them under 
the Civil Service. Most notably, they also lead efforts to form the 
United Nations and encourage American participation in the 
organization. In recognition of the League of Women Voters' 
contributions to help create the United Nations, it became the first 
American organization to receive a United Nations designation as a non-
governmental organization.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the House join me in 
honoring the 100th Anniversary of the League of Women Voters in 
Syracuse and New York. Since its formation, the League has made great 
contributions to empower women voters and has played a significant role 
in positively shaping public policy in our country.

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