Bill Summary
This resolution recognizes the significant role that Utah played in the fight for women's suffrage and celebrates the 150th anniversary of the first votes cast by women in Utah on February 14, 1870. It highlights the passing of an Act by the territorial legislature of Utah in 1870, granting women the right to vote, making them the first women in the United States to vote under an equal suffrage law. It also acknowledges the revocation of women's voting rights by Congress in 1887, and the subsequent adoption of the Utah Constitution in 1895, which granted both men and women the right to vote and hold office. The resolution also recognizes Martha Maria Hughes Cannon, who in 1896 became the first woman in the US to serve as a state senator. Finally, it acknowledges the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the US Constitution in 1919, which extended women's suffrage to all US citizens.
Possible Impacts
1. Increased awareness and recognition of the contributions of women in the fight for suffrage may inspire individuals, particularly women, to become more politically active and exercise their right to vote.
2. The celebration of the sesquicentennial may lead to public events and discussions about the history of women's suffrage, which could educate people about the struggles and accomplishments of early suffragists.
3. The passing of this resolution may also bring attention to ongoing issues related to voting rights and gender equality, prompting further advocacy and action for equal rights.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 804 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 804
Recognizing the leading role of Utahns in the fight for women's
suffrage and celebrating the sesquicentennial of the first votes by
women under the equal suffrage law of Utah on February 14, 1870.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 17, 2020
Mr. Bishop of Utah (for himself, Mr. Stewart, Mr. Curtis, and Mr.
McAdams) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Recognizing the leading role of Utahns in the fight for women's
suffrage and celebrating the sesquicentennial of the first votes by
women under the equal suffrage law of Utah on February 14, 1870.
Whereas, on February 10, 1870, the territorial legislature of Utah passed an Act
granting women the right to vote, which was signed into law on February
12, 1870, by Acting Governor Stephen Mann;
Whereas, on February 14, 1870, women voted in the Salt Lake City election,
becoming the first women to vote under an equal suffrage law within what
is now the United States;
Whereas, in 1887, Congress revoked the voting rights of women in Utah;
Whereas, on November 5, 1895, the new Utah Constitution was adopted with a
provision stating, ``The rights of citizens of the State of Utah to vote
and hold office shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex. Both
male and female citizens of this State shall enjoy equally all civil,
political and religious rights and privileges.'';
Whereas, on November 3, 1896, Martha Maria Hughes Cannon, who will be honored by
a statue in the United States Capitol in 2020, was elected to the Utah
State Senate and became the first woman to serve as a State senator in
the United States; and
Whereas, in 1919, women's suffrage was extended to all United States citizens
with the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the leading role of Utahns in the fight for
women's suffrage and the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States guaranteeing that the ``right
of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States or by any State on account of
sex''; and
(2) celebrates the sesquicentennial of the first votes by
women under the equal suffrage law of Utah on February 14,
1870.
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