The original documents are located in Box 34, folder “Directories - Congressional Club (2)” of the Betty Ford White House Papers, 1973-1977 at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Betty Ford donated to the United States of America her copyrights in all of her unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. ill:~e QI:ongressional Qtlub ~asqingtnn, c!0· OL 0 I> . <... !ear l8nok 1971-1973 <!r~e Qfongressfonal QUuh ~asqington, ~· OL !ear ~nok 1971-1973 ll I I THE PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE The wealth of service rendered by the wives of Washington officialdom has been a continuing source of inspiration to those charged with the responsibilities for "life, liberty and the pnrsuit of happiness" in our Nation's Capital. Since it was chartered by the Congress in 1908 as an educational, civic and social organization, the Congressional Club has channeled its richly diverse and talented membership into meaningful avenues of service. Throughout our sixty-three Club years our informative pro­ \. grams and social contacts have advised us of the needs and challenges, and our classes and workshops have provided us with the necessary knowledge and special skills to meet them. The Executive Committee is confident that during the next two years our membership will satisfy the demands of our increasingly complicated national life requiring greater service by better trained volunteers. We hope that along the course of duty, we can contribute to the THE CONGRESSIONAL CLUB social relaxation and the happy fellowship that will sustain the spirits of our dedicated achievers. 2001 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W. 20009 Lindy Boggs Manager, Mrs. Anne Spaeth Office of Secretary 332-1268 332-1 155 2 3 CONGRESSIONAL CLUB OFFICERS 1971 -1973 President Mrs. Hale Boggs ................................... Louisiana Mrs. John W. Byrnes Mrs. George W. Andrews Mrs. Robert J. Dole 1st Vice-President 2nd Vice·President 3rd Vice-President Vice Presidents Mrs. John W. Byrnes ................................ Wisconsin Mrs. George W. Andrews ............................. Alabama Mrs. Robert Dole .................................... Kansas Mrs. Richard !chord ................................. Missouri Mrs. Burt Talcott .................................. California Recording Secretary Mrs. Tom S. Gettys ............................ South Carolina Mrs. Burt L. Talcott Mrs. Hale Boggs Mrs. Richard H. Ichord 5th Vice-President President 4th Vice-President Co"esponding Secretary Mrs. Robert Stafford ................................Vermont Treasurer Mrs. Jack Brooks ..................................... Texas Mrs. Tom S. Gettys Mrs. Robert T. Stafford Mrs. Jack B. Brooks Recording Secretary Co"esponding Secretary Treasurer 4 5 THE CONGRESSIONAL CLUB House was dedicated in 1914 with a formal reception at which President Wilson was the guest of honor. It remains essentially the same Colors gracious, charming place which was built s~}ong ago. ,, Blue and Gold Although the idea for the Club was for Congressional women , the formulation and adoption of rules and regulations established and In 1908, when the Congressional Club was formed, Washington was broadened the eligibility for membership in the Club. Active member­ a leisurely, easy-going town. The horse-drawn carriage, with coachman ship includes the wives of Members of Congress, the Women Members in livery, was the usual vehicle for polite societ~ as it we~ded it~ way of Congress, the wives of the membe~s of the Supre1!1e ~ourt, and ~e through mud-drenched streets while Congressional ladies dutifully wives of Cabinet members. Associate membership mcludes theu "dropped" cards at the homes of members of official Washin~on. daughters and daughters-in-law. Honorary membership is conferred Washington was a city of exclusive social groups _and the Congress1o~al upon the wives of the President, the Vice-President, and the Speaker of group saw very little of what was going on and enjoyed almost no social the house, or their official hostesses. life in the Capital. .. The Congressional Club has become so popular and attractive that The original purpose of the Club was to estabhsh a non-pohttcal many members retain their membership upon leaving Washington and group that would promote friendship a~ong the. wives of the Senate become non-resident members. and House members without the formality of social calls. Twenty-five From the Club's membership have come five First Ladies: Mrs. women who attended a luncheon at the home of Mrs. James Perkins of Harding, Mrs. Hoover, Mrs. Truman, Mrs. Lyndon Johnson and Mrs. New York were the pioneers of the movement, but oddly enough, it Nixon. Mrs. John Garner was at one time Congressional Club Treasurer. was a man who thought of it first. The casual dinner party remark of Mrs. Margaret Chase Smith, now the senior Senator from Maine, also Congressman Frank 0. Lowden e-{ Ulinois - "Congressional women served as treasurer. Former Congresswomen Marguerite Church from should have a club for Congressional women" - sparked the women to Illinois and Catherine Norrell from Arkansas are past presidents of the action. Congressional Club. Mrs. John Sharp Williams of Mississippi, wife of the Minority Through the years the Congressional Club has received many Leader of the House of Representatives, was elected president of the beautiful gifts from various sources. One of the most impressive is the group which rapidly increased its membership and its activi~ies. _Desp~te notable collection of mannequins representing America's First Ladies of the venture's success, Congressman Williams was adamant m his bebef the past one hundred years. Presented by the Evyan Perfume Company that women's cJubs were unnecessary nuisances. in 1962, the collection was the beginning of the Congressional Club On May 20, 1908, Mrs. Williams donned her mos~ becomi_ng ~at Museum and Foundation. Other museum rooms in the Club are: The and enticed a luncheon invitation from her husband. While the Mmonty Archives Room for permanent storage and display of historical objects, Leader was "out to lunch", Congressman Julius Kahn of California, furnished and decorated by Mrs. Russell Mack in memory of her whose wife was first Vice-President of the Congressional Club, .. husband, the late Congressman Russell V. Mack from the State of introduced a bill in the House of Representatives to grant a federal Washington; the Hawaiian Room, with its furnishings and decorations a charter to the Club. There were one-hundred and ninety-five ladies gift from former Congresswoman Elizabeth Farrington and the late named as incorporators, and the bill was passed unanimously. Congressman Joseph Rider Farrington of Hawaii; and the International The very historic residence of former Senator Gorman of Maryland Doll Room, decorated and furnished by the late Congressman John C. at 1432 K Street served as the first Congressional Club House. It Kunkel of Pennsylvania and Mrs. Kunkel, who is a former president of opened officially on December 11, 1908, with a reception for the Club. The dolls were collected through the various Embassies in President~lect and Mrs. William Howard Taft. A few years later, Mrs. Washington. In addition to these rooms, the Foundation Committee John Henderson wife of the Senator from Missouri, gave the land and directs funds to educational and civic needs in the District of signed notes f~r thirty-thousand dollars for t~e construction and Columbia. furnishings of the present Club on New Hampshtre Avenue. The Club Publishing of the Congressional Club Cookbook has been one of 6 7 the Club's most important projects since 1927, when the first edition PAST PRESIDENTS appeared to defray the expenses for complete refurnishing of the Club House. Subsequent editions appeared with various innovations. The eighth edition, published this year, has enjoyed a wide circulation. 1908-1910 . ..... ......... Mrs. James Breck Perkins, New York* Traditional Club activities include the colorful and festive spring 1910-1911 . ............... ......... Mrs.A.W. Gregg,Texas* breakfast honoring the First Lady, which has been held each year since 1911-1912 ........... .... Mrs. Ernest W. Roberts, Massachusetts* 1912; the Founder's Day program in March, which is open to members 1913-1914 . ............. .. Mrs. Duncan U. Fletcher, Florida* only and honors past Congressional Club presidents; the Diplomatic Tea 1915-1916 . .......... ..... ......Mrs. Atlee Pomerene, Ohio for the wives of foreign ambassadors; and receptions honoring high 1917-1918 . ..... ................. Mrs. Horace Towner, Iowa* officials in the three branches of our Government. 1919-1920 ............ ..... Mrs. Charles B. Ward, New York The Congressional Club offers a variety of activities, including Red 1921-1922 ............... .. ...Mrs. Irvine L. Lenroot, Wisconsin* Cross work, Capitol Hill tours for wounded servicemen, work at 1922-1923 . .. ....... Mrs. Joseph S. Frelinghuysen, New Jersey* Children's Hospital and at an inner city school, art tours and classes in many fields,