CAPC Hosts Town Hall Meeting with
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi

The Center for American Politics and Citizenship hosted a town hall meeting with Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader of the United States House of Representatives, on Tuesday, December 9, 2003.  Pelosi received the Millard E. Tydings Award for Courage and Leadership in American Politics from Senator Joseph Tydings, son of the late Millard Tydings and chairman of CAPC's executive board.

Elected as Democratic leader by her colleagues in the fall of 2002, Pelosi is the highest ranking woman in the history of the U.S. Congress and the first woman to lead a major political party. A native of Baltimore, Pelosi has represented California's 8th congressional district in the House of Representatives since 1987. Her district includes most of the city of San Francisco.

In her remarks, Pelosi said, "The history of the world, and the history of this nation, is the story of young people daring to dream that a single person can make a difference."  She asked the audience to "boldly imagine the country we can yet become."  She thanked Dr. Herrnson and members of the executive board of CAPC for the work they do to ensure our democracy fulfills the ideals of the nation's founders.  Pelosi also paid tribute to Millard Tydings, who served in Congress with her late father, Thomas D'Alesandro Jr.  Tydings was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for two terms and a member of the United States Senate from 1927 to 1951. He and D'Alesandro served in Congress together for 10 years.

The Millard E. Tydings Award for Courage and Leadership in American Politics is presented to political leaders who have displayed great political courage and have made a significant difference in the American political system. During his 24 years in the United States Senate, Millard Tydings demonstrated true leadership, great courage, and a steadfast commitment to principle.  Among other actions, he opposed President Franklin Roosevelt’s effort to pack the U.S. Supreme Court, and he stood up against Senator Joseph McCarthy when he wrongly accused State Department employees of being communists.

Pelosi is the second recipient of the Tydings Award; Senator John McCain of Arizona received the first Tydings Award in December 2001.

 

***Photographs by Mike Morgan, www.mikemorganphoto.com.