Subjects – Congressional Staff
The first Quorum of the House of Representatives
April 01, 1789
On this date, Congress achieved its first quorum.
Clerk of the House Patrick Magruder
May 24, 1813
On the opening day of the 13th Congress (1813–1815), Patrick Magruder of Maryland was elected to a fourth consecutive term as Clerk of the House.
Representative Oliver Comstock of New York, who became the House Chaplain
December 20, 1836
On this date, Oliver Comstock of New York became the first and only former U.S. Representative to be elected Chaplain.
Clerk of the House Matthew St. Clair Clarke
May 31, 1841
On this date Matthew St. Clair Clarke of Pennsylvania was named Clerk of the House for the 27th Congress (1841–1843).
William S. King of Minnesota was chosen as Postmaster of the House
July 05, 1861
On this date, future Representative William S. King of Minnesota was chosen as Postmaster of the House of Representatives.
Alexander McDowell, long-serving Clerk of the House
March 15, 1897
On this date, Alexander McDowell of Pennsylvania was elected Clerk of the House for a second term.
The resignation of Parliamentarian Asher Hinds
March 03, 1911
On this day, Parliamentarian Asher Hinds resigned his position to become a Representative from the State of Maine.
Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives Joe Sinnott
April 02, 1911
On this date, Joe Sinnott was elected Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives.
Longtime House Press Gallery employee Benjamin C. West
December 27, 1926
On this date, Benjamin C. West, the longtime Superintendent of the House Press Gallery was born.
The opening of the 72nd Congress
December 07, 1931
On this date, the 72nd Congress (1931–1933) convened as Clerk William Tyler Page called the House to order at noon on opening day.
The 20th Amendment
January 03, 1935
On this date, the 74th Congress (1935–1937) became the first to convene for opening day in fulfillment of the requirements of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution.
Representative Eliza Jane Pratt of North Carolina
May 25, 1946
On this date, Eliza Jane Pratt became the first woman to represent North Carolina in the House of Representatives.
Deputy Clerk Harry Newlin Megill assumed Clerk of the House South Trimble’s responsibilities
August 02, 1946
Due to the poor health of House Clerk South Trimble, Deputy Clerk Harry Newlin Megill assumed his responsibilities on August 2, 1946, when the House approved H. Res. 753, authorizing the “appointment of an acting Clerk.”
The first African-American Capitol Police woman
October 15, 1973
On this date Arva “Marie” Johnson became the first African-American woman to serve on the Capitol Police force.
The 1998 shooting of two Capitol Police officers
July 24, 1998
On this date, two Capitol Police officers, Officer Jacob J. Chestnut, Jr., and Detective John M. Gibson, died in the line of duty.
Longtime House employee Helen Sewell
July 18, 2006
On this date, Helen Sewell, the longtime manager of the Republican Cloakroom lunch and snack bar, died.