100th Anniversary of the 19th Amendment

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. PALMER. Madam Speaker, today is the 100th year anniversary of the United States House of Representatives approving the resolution for the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. I have looked forward to this day literally since my first day in Congress because it holds very special meaning for my wife's family.

Prior to the 1920 election, sample ballots were distributed in Boston. My wife Ann's great-great-grandmother, Abby Mayhew Cushing, received a sample ballot that she used to prepare for that election. After voting that day she wrote the following note on the back side of the sample ballot, ``November 2, 1920 Cast my first vote for President of these United States.''

Reading those words gives a sense of the immense pride that Ms. Cushing felt, a sincere sense of patriotism at the opportunity to participate in the selection of the leaders who would guide as she wrote, ``these United States.''

These United States . . . even though women had been denied the right to vote since the beginning of our nation, there was no sense of resentment from Ms. Cushing, only a sense of great pride that comes from a genuine love of country.

To be totally transparent, I should include the rest of what she wrote on the back of her sample ballot. She wrote, ``Straight Republican ticket. Smashing victory for Harding and Coolidge. Abby Mayhew Cushing Age 67''

Almost three years later she added this note: ``President Harding died very suddenly August 2nd 1923 in California. Burial in Marion, Ohio, Friday August 10th.''

My wife and her family have held on to this treasured piece of American history, with Ms. Cushing's simple yet inspiring words written on the back, for almost 100 years as a reminder of how far our nation has come. It is with great pride and honor that I share them with this Congress on this 100th anniversary of the passage of the House resolution to give the women of America the right to vote.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source