HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21

RECOGNIZING THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT.

WHEREAS, August 18, 2020 is the 100 ^th anniversary of the 19 ^th amendment to the United States Constitution, that cemented the efforts of the women’s suffrage movement and gave American women the right to vote; and

WHEREAS, the women suffrage movement expanded from 1840-1920 to gain equal voting rights; and

WHEREAS, from 1919 to 1920, the 66 ^th United States Congress debated, and State legislatures considered, an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to provide suffrage for women; and

WHEREAS, a proposed women’s suffrage amendment was first introduced in the United States Senate in 1878 and was brought to a vote, unsuccessfully, in 1887, 1914, 1918, and 1919; and

WHEREAS, on May 21, 1919, the United States House of Representatives approved a proposed amendment, followed by the United States Senate a few weeks later on June 4, 1919, and within days, the legislatures of several states had voted to ratify the amendment; and

WHEREAS, Delaware ratified the 19 ^th Amendment on March 6, 1923; and

WHEREAS, ratification of the 19th Amendment ensured women could more fully participate in their democracy and fundamentally changed the role of women in the civic life of our Nation; and

WHEREAS, a woman’s right to vote would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of Delaware women from the National Women’s Party Suffragists, the Wilmington Equal Suffrage Study Club Suffragists, and the Delaware Equal Suffrage Association Suffragists; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Heritage Commission is responsible for preserving Delaware’s unique history through publishing books, awarding grants, and hosting events; and

WHEREAS, the Delaware Heritage Commission previously organized events celebrating the 75 ^th anniversary of the 19 ^th amendment in 1995; and

WHEREAS, the centennial offers an opportunity for people in the United States to learn about and commemorate the efforts of the women’s suffrage movement and the role of women in our democracy; and

WHEREAS, commemorative programs, activities, and sites allow people in the United States to learn about the women’s suffrage movement and to commemorate and honor the role of the ratification of the 19th Amendment in further fulfilling the promise of the Constitution of the United States and promoting the core values of our democracy;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 150 ^th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that we recognize the historical importance of the centennial of the ratification of the 19 ^th amendment on August 18, 2020; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the House of Representatives and the Senate call on the Delaware Heritage Commission to organize meaningful events and exhibits to honor the 100 ^th Anniversary and establish a subcommittee that will plan a parade to commemorate the occasion;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Delawareans are encouraged to join the Commission in an acknowledgment of the necessary rights secured by this important amendment; and

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives and the Senate of the 150th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, that the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Subcommittee is hereby established under the Delaware Heritage Commission for the purpose of planning and implementing an appropriate commemoration of the 100 ^th anniversary of the passage of the 19 ^th amendment.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Subcommittee shall consist of the following members:

Three members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House.

Three members to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

Three members who shall broadly represent the various racial and cultural groups of this State to be appointed by the Governor, who is respectfully requested to make all reasonable efforts to ensure that each county is represented;

And at least three members of the Delaware Heritage Commission.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chair and Co-Chair of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Subcommittee shall be elected from among its members.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chair and Co-Chair of the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Subcommittee may appoint additional subcommittees and members should supplementary perspective and expertise be needed.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall provide adequate funding to Women’s Suffrage Centennial Subcommittee to commemorate the 100 ^th anniversary of the passage of the 19 ^th amendment.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution celebrates Delaware's observance of the centennial of the passage and ratification of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States providing for women’s suffrage. It further calls on the Delaware Heritage Commission to organize meaningful events and exhibits to honor the 100th anniversary and establish a subcommittee to plan a parade commemorating the occasion.