Washington, DC - Delegates to the 2010 ADA National Convention elected U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey to be the next president of Americans for Democratic Action.

“It is my great honor to announce that U.S. Representative Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) will be the next president of Americans for Democratic Action,” said Michael J. Wilson, ADA’s National Director.  “Her proven leadership and stellar record on progressive issues makes her the ideal choice to lead ADA into the next decade of policy and battles.”

Rep. Lynn Woolsey is serving her ninth term representing California’s 6th district.  She is the co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, and the first former welfare mother to serve in Congress.   She is a member of House Education and Labor Committee where she chairs the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, and also serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Committee on Science and Technology.

“It’s a unique honor to help steer the direction of a storied organization like ADA,” said Woolsey. “I intend to be a partner, but I don’t have any illusions about where the real strength of ADA resides – with the determined activism of its members. I have faith in their direction, mission and in the existing leadership.  I hope I can provide energy and ideas that will help us accelerate the progressive resurgence that America so badly needs.”

Rep. Woolsey is the 27th president of ADA, replacing noted economist and Harvard professor, Richard Parker, who served for the last 2 years.  Past ADA presidents include Senator Hubert Humphrey, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., John Kenneth Galbraith, Senator Paul Wellstone and Representatives Patsy T. Mink, Barney Frank, and John Lewis.

“Rep. Woolsey is an activist, a progressive, and a legislator.  She is exactly the kind of leader ADA needs in 2010.  We are looking forward to working with her to continue to make progressive change in America,” said Wilson.

ADA is America's most experienced independent liberal lobbying organization. In the spirit of the New Deal and ADA founders Eleanor Roosevelt, renowned economist John Kenneth Galbraith, and former Senator and Vice President Hubert Humphrey we lobby through coalition partnerships, through direct advocacy, and through the media.