Lynn Woolsey
Lynn Woolsey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromCalifornia's6thdistrict | |
| In office January 3, 1993 – January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Barbara Boxer |
| Succeeded by | Jared Huffman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Lynn Carol Robinson November 3, 1937 Seattle,Washington,U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Terry J. Critchett
(m.1958;div.1968)David C. Woolsey
(m.1971, divorced) |
| Children | 4 |
| Education | University of Washington University of San Francisco(BS) |
Lynn Carol Woolsey(néeRobinson;born November 3, 1937) is an American politician who served in theUnited States House of Representativesfrom California from 1993 to 2013. She was a member of the Democratic Party and represented California's 6th congressional district.
During her time in Congress, Woolsey was a strong advocate forsocialandeconomic justice,and she was a vocal opponent of theIraq War.She worked to promote universal healthcare, improve access to education, and expand workers' rights. She also authored and co-sponsored several pieces of legislation, including theFamily and Medical Leave Act,which provides job protection for workers who need time off to care for themselves or their families.
Woolsey was also a strong advocate for environmental protection and played a key role in efforts to protect the Northern California coastline. She was a co-founder of theCongressional Progressive Caucusand served as its co-chair for several years.
Prior to her time in Congress, Woolsey served on thePetaluma, CaliforniaCity Council, and as Mayor of Petaluma. She also worked as a high school teacher and was involved in various community organizations.
After leaving Congress, Woolsey remained active in politics and advocacy, and she continued to be involved in efforts to promote progressive causes and improve the lives of working people.[1]
Early life, education and career
[edit]Woolsey was born Lynn Carol Robinson inSeattle, Washington.Woolsey graduated fromLincoln High Schoolin 1955.[2]She was educated at theUniversity of Washington,where she became a member ofAlpha Phisorority, but left school early to marry Terry J. Critchett in 1958. She moved toMarin Countyin Northern California and enrolled at theUniversity of San Francisco.[3]Her husband left the family, leaving Woolsey to raise her three children alone, and they divorced in 1968. She received public assistance to make ends meet while working and finishing her education. She married David C. Woolsey in 1971, and raised another child, but that marriage also ended in divorce. She later became a human resources manager and business owner, a teacher at theCollege of Marinand theDominican University of California,and a member of thePetaluma, California,City Council before running forCongress.[4][5][6]
U.S. House of Representatives
[edit]Political campaigns
[edit]In 1992, five-term CongresswomanBarbara Boxergave up her seat to make a successful run for theSenate.Woolsey entered a nine-way Democratic primary. Seven of her opponents lived in Marin County and split that county's vote, allowing Woolsey to win the nomination with 26 percent of the vote. In the general election, she facedRepublicanAssemblymanBill Filante,who was diagnosed with a brain tumor and did not actively campaign. Woolsey won with 65 percent of the vote.[7]
Woolsey was reelected eight times with no substantial opposition.
Tenure
[edit]Woolsey was ranked as the most liberal member of Congress in 2012 by That's My Congress.[8]
Welfare reform
[edit]She quickly made her presence known, drawing upon her experience in vocal opposition to the major welfare reform initiative negotiated byHouse SpeakerNewt Gingrichand PresidentBill Clintonin the mid-1990s. She later led efforts to restore programmatic funding for services such as child care, nutrition, and paid parental leave. She also passed legislation increasing the power of theIRSto enforce payment of delinquent child support.[9]
Iraq
[edit]Woolsey was an outspoken opponent of theWar in Iraq.On October 10, 2002, she was among 133 members of the House who voted against authorizing theinvasion of Iraq.[10]She took an active role in opposing continued U.S. presence, leading 15 members of Congress in writing a letter to PresidentGeorge W. Bushdated January 12, 2005, calling for the withdrawal of U.S. from Iraq.[11]She also among the first Members of Congress to call for a troop withdrawal, when she introduced H.Con. Res. 35 on January 26, 2005. Woolsey gave war protesterCindy Sheehana guest pass to attend Bush's 2006State of the Unionspeech. Sheehan's attendance at the speech became noted when she was arrested for wearing a T-shirt with a political message.[12]In the lead up to the 2008 elections, Woolsey, encouraged leaders ofanti-wargroups to field primary challenges to any Democrat who refused to support a vote ending the war in Iraq. In response, 15 members of the Blue Dog Coalition, a conservative-centrist group within the Democratic Party caucus in the House Representatives in safe seats, refused to contribute party dues to theDemocratic Congressional Campaign Committee(DCCC). Woolsey later stated that she was misunderstood, but the Blue Dogs continued the boycott.[13]
Indian gaming
[edit]Woolsey introduced the Graton Rancheria Restoration Act on August 6, 1998.[14]It was signed by President Clinton as Title XIV of the Omnibus Indian Advancement Act in December 2000.
Woolsey testified in support of H.R. 946, citing her approval for the clause restricting gaming on land that is "taken into trust for the tribes."[15]
Woolsey's original bill (H.R. 4434, later H.R. 946) would not have permitted theFederated Indians of Graton Rancheriato have an Indian casino. Senator Barbara Boxer removed that prohibition when she included Woolsey's bill in the Omnibus Act.
In response, Woolsey introduced H.R. 2656 (which never left the HouseResources Committee) and appeared frequently at local town-hall meetings, saying that theMiwokIndians double-crossed her by seeking to legalize gambling on their reservation.[16]
Scouting for All Act
[edit]In September 2000, Woolsey sponsored H.R. 4892, the Scouting for All Act, to revoke the charter held by theBoy Scouts of America.[17]
Recognition of Ramadan
[edit]On December 11, 2007, Woolsey, along with 8 other Democrats, voted ‘nay’ on a resolution to recognize the importance of "Christmas and the Christian faith" but did vote to "recognize the commencement of Ramadan",’ a Muslim religious observance in October.[18]
Health care
[edit]Woolsey introduced a bill to revive the public option on July 22, 2010.[19]The Congressional Budget Office projected that the legislation would save $68 billion between 2014 and 2020.[20]
She was strongly critical of theStupak-Pitts Amendment,which prevents private health insurance plans from covering abortion if the plan is subsidized by tax breaks in the context of the November 2009Affordable Health Care for America Act.[citation needed]
Committee assignments
[edit]Caucuses
[edit]- Congressional Progressive Caucus(Co-chair)
Controversies
[edit]Stewart Pearson letter
[edit]On December 2, 2003, Woolsey wrote a letter on behalf of Stewart Pearson, the son of one of her senior aides, who had pleaded guilty to rape. In a letter written on her official congressional stationery, she asked the judge to consider mitigating circumstances and show leniency.[21]The judge in the case was not swayed by the letter, and sentenced Pearson to eight years in prison, the maximum allowed under theplea bargain.Woolsey has apologized for writing the letter, saying she did not know all the facts; the victim did not accept her apology.[22]
Objection to 2004 presidential election results
[edit]Woolsey was one of thirty-one House Democrats who voted to not count theelectoral votesfrom Ohio in the2004 presidential election.[23]PresidentGeorge W. Bushwon Ohio by 118,457 votes.[24]Without Ohio's electoral votes, the election would have been decided by the U.S. House of Representatives, with each state having one vote in accordance with theTwelfth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Darfur protest arrest
[edit]Woolsey was arrested April 27, 2009, outside the embassy ofSudanin Washington, D.C., during a protest againstgenocideinDarfur.[25]Woolsey and four other U.S. lawmakers were protesting the blocking of aid to victims. They were arrested on a charge oftrespassingafter they crossed a police line.
Other Democratic House members arrested wereJim McGovern,Donna Edwards,Keith EllisonandJohn Lewis.
Legacy
[edit]Woolsey'scongressional papersare preserved in Special Collections and University Archives at theSonoma State UniversityLibrary.[26]
Electoral history
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lynn Woolsey | 190,322 | 65.2 | |
| Republican | Bill Filante | 98,171 | 33.6 | |
| No party | Write-in | 3,293 | 1.1 | |
| Total votes | 291,786 | 100.0 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lynn Woolsey (incumbent) | 137,642 | 58.1 | |
| Republican | Michael J. Nugent | 88,940 | 37.5 | |
| Libertarian | Louis Beary | 6,203 | 2.6 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Ernest K. Jones, Jr. | 4,055 | 1.7 | |
| Total votes | 236,840 | 100.0 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lynn Woolsey (incumbent) | 156,958 | 61.6 | |
| Republican | Duane C. Hughes | 86,278 | 33.8 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Ernest K. Jones, Jr. | 6,459 | 2.5 | |
| Natural Law | Bruce Kendall | 5,240 | 2.1 | |
| Total votes | 254,935 | 100.0 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lynn Woolsey (incumbent) | 158,446 | 68.0 | |
| Republican | Ken McAuliffe | 69,295 | 29.7 | |
| Natural Law | Alan R. Barreca | 5,240 | 2.2 | |
| Total votes | 232,981 | 100.0 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lynn Woolsey (incumbent) | 182,166 | 64.3 | |
| Republican | Ken McAuliffe | 80,169 | 28.3 | |
| Green | Justin Moscoso | 13,248 | 4.7 | |
| Libertarian | Richard O. Barton | 4,691 | 1.9 | |
| Natural Law | Alan R. Barreca | 2,894 | 1.1 | |
| Total votes | 283,118 | 100.0 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lynn Woolsey (incumbent) | 139,750 | 66.7 | |
| Republican | Paul L. Erickson | 62,052 | 29.7 | |
| Libertarian | Richard O. Barton | 4,936 | 2.3 | |
| Reform | Jeff Rainforth | 2,825 | 1.3 | |
| Total votes | 209,563 | 100.0 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lynn Woolsey (incumbent) | 226,423 | 72.7 | |
| Republican | Paul L. Erickson | 85,244 | 27.3 | |
| Total votes | 311,667 | 100.0 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lynn Woolsey (incumbent) | 173,190 | 70.3 | |
| Republican | Todd Hooper | 64,405 | 26.1 | |
| Libertarian | Richard W. Friesen | 9,028 | 3.6 | |
| Total votes | 246,623 | 100.0 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lynn Woolsey (incumbent) | 229,672 | 71.7 | |
| Republican | Mike Halliwell | 77,073 | 24.1 | |
| Libertarian | Joel R. Smolen | 13,617 | 4.2 | |
| Total votes | 320,362 | 100.0 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Lynn Woolsey (incumbent) | 172,216 | 66.0 | |
| Republican | Jim Judd | 77,361 | 29.7 | |
| Peace and Freedom | Eugene F. Ruyle | 5,915 | 2.2 | |
| Libertarian | Joel R. Smolen | 5,660 | 2.1 | |
| Total votes | 261,152 | 100.0 | ||
| Turnout | ||||
| Democratichold | ||||
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^"Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey: Biography".woolsey.house.gov. Archived fromthe originalon February 10, 2012.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
- ^"WOOLSEY, Lynn C. | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives".
- ^"Women in Congress"(PDF).
- ^"Women in Congress"(PDF).
- ^Congressional Record.Vol. 168, no. 20.
- ^"Woolsey, Lynn, 1937-".snac.July 14, 2021.
- ^"Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D)".The National Journal Almanac.The National Journal.RetrievedOctober 17,2012.
- ^"That's My Congress: Liberal and Conservative Scorecard for the House of Representatives in the 113th Congress".December 24, 2011.RetrievedDecember 12,2016.
- ^"Women in Congress"(PDF).
- ^"H J RES 114: To Authorize the Use of United States Armed Forces Against Iraq".clerk.house.gov. October 10, 2002.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
- ^Epstein, Edward (January 13, 2005)."16 Dems Urge Bush to Start Pullout from Iraq".San Francisco Chronicle. Archived fromthe originalon October 10, 2012.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
- ^"CNN - Activist Sheehan arrested in House gallery - Feb 1, 2006".CNN.RetrievedMay 12,2010.
- ^Bresnahan, John (October 24, 2007)."Blue Dogs refuse to pony up for DCCC".The Politico.Archived fromthe originalon October 26, 2007.RetrievedNovember 1,2007.
- ^"H.R.4434 -- Graton Rancheria Restoration Act".The Library of Congress. Archived fromthe originalon October 18, 2015.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
- ^"Hearing on H.R.946, H.R.2671, and H.R.4148".Commdocs.house.gov.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
- ^"Sen. Boxer ambushes Woolsey, adds casino rights for Miwok".Archived fromthe originalon December 23, 2007.
- ^"Bill Text 106th Congress (1999-2000) H.R.4892.IH".Archived fromthe originalon October 18, 2015.RetrievedJanuary 17,2013.
- ^"Archived copy".Archived fromthe originalon December 30, 2007.RetrievedDecember 18,2007.
{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link),Ramadan "Yea", Christmas "Nay" 12 December 2007, Town Hall - ^"Woolsey to introduce 'robust public option' bill".Archived fromthe originalon July 27, 2010.
- ^Levey, Noam N. (July 21, 2010)."Proposed deficit remedy: the healthcare 'public option'".The Los Angeles Times.
- ^Gollan, Jennifer (February 7, 2004). "Woolsey's pitch for rapist questioned".The Marin Independent Journal.
- ^Gollan, Jennifer (February 15, 2004). "Teen victim rejects Woolsey's apology".The Marin Independent Journal.
- ^"Final Vote Results for Role Call 7".Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.January 6, 2005.RetrievedJanuary 15,2013.
- ^Salvato, Albert (December 29, 2004)."Ohio Recount Gives a Smaller Margin to Bush".The New York Times.
- ^"U.S. lawmakers arrested in Darfur protest at Sudan embassy".CNN. April 27, 2009.RetrievedApril 27,2009.
- ^"Lynn Woolsey Congressional Papers".Sonoma State University. May 10, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 6,2022.
- ^"1992 election results".clerk.house.gov.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
- ^"1994 election results".clerk.house.gov.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
- ^"1996 election results".clerk.house.gov.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
- ^"1998 election results".clerk.house.gov.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
- ^"2000 election results".clerk.house.gov.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
- ^2002 election results
- ^2004 election results[dead link]
- ^"2006 election results"(PDF).sos.ca.gov. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on November 27, 2008.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
- ^"2008 election results"(PDF).sos.ca.gov. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on December 21, 2008.RetrievedMarch 1,2012.
External links
[edit]- Biographyat theBiographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office)at theFederal Election Commission
- AppearancesonC-SPAN
- Articles
- Out of Iraq: By Reps. Lynn Woolsey&Barbara Lee
- A Progressive State of the UnionBy Barbara Lee and Lynn Woolsey
- The Progressive Promise By Rep. Lynn Woolsey
- California Rep. Lynn Woolsey Receives Peace Award from Christian Quaker Lobby
- Metroactive: Lynn Woolsey and the American way
- American Prospect: Communication Breakdown by Rep. Lynn Woolsey
- Statement Opposing Military Action in Iraq Rep. Lynn Woolsey
- Woolsey's Tie to Indian Gaming (Marin IJ)
- Dry Creek Indian Gaming Coming to Petaluma?
- HR2656ArchivedOctober 18, 2015, at theWayback Machine
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