H.Res. 1272 is being considered on the floor under suspension of the rules and will require a two-thirds majority vote for passage. This legislation was introduced by Representative Mary Fallin (R-OK) on June 12, 2008. The legislation was referred to the Committee on House Administration but was never considered.

H.Res. 1272 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House of Representatives on October 2, 2008.

H.Res. 1272 resolves that the House of Representatives:

• Recognizes Alice Mary Robertson for her spirit of service and dedication to her country and;

• Honors her as a great American in recognition of her contributions to the State of Oklahoma and nationwide in the House of Representatives.

BACKGROUND
Alice Mary Robertson was born on January 2, 1854, in the Tullahassee Mission which was later known as Tullahasse, Oklahoma. She was a teacher, a social worker, a government official and a politician. 

From 1900-1905 she served as the government supervisor of Creel Indian schools. She was appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt appointed her and she was the first government supervisor for that area. She later became the postmaster of Muskogee, Oklahoma from 1905-1913.

During World War I Alice Mary Robertson served her country by providing a canteen service to the troops fighting overseas; this lead to the creation of Muskogee Chapter of the Red Cross.

In 1921 she became the second woman elected to Congress, where she served on the Committee on Indian Affairs, the Committee on Expenditures in the Interior Department, and the Committee on Woman Suffrage with Jeannette Rankin.

On July 20, 1921, she became the first female to preside over the House of Representatives when she presided over a roll call vote.

Following the creation of the Veterans Bureau in 1921, she secured funding for the first veterans’ hospital in Muskogee.

Alice Mary Robertson passed away on July 1, 1931.

For questions or further information contact Luke Hatzis at (202) 226-2302.