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Sanibel Dems Host Former U.S. Rep Pat Schroeder

By Staff | Feb 16, 2012

Former U.S. House Representative for Colorado (1973-1997) will speak at the Sanibel Public Library during a February 28 event hosted by the Democratic Club of the Islands.

Pat Schroeder, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for Colorado from 1973 to 1997, will share insight from her political career with the Democratic Club of the Islands during a February 28, 7:00 p.m., presentation at the Sanibel Public Library (770 Dunlop Road).

Educated at the University of Minnesota with a B.A. in History, Schroeder later earned a law degree from Harvard Law School in l964. After moving to Colorado, she worked for the National Labor Relations Board, and later for Planned Parenthood. Elected to the House in l973 at 3l, she is the second youngest woman ever elected to that body. She won by only 8,000 votes, but was re-elected eleven more times and served 24 years as a Colorado Democrat.

While in Congress, she was the first woman to serve on the House Armed Services Committee. A prime mover behind the Family and Medical Leave Act of l993, she was also involved in reform of Congress, questioning the long standing control of committees by their chairs and sparring with Speaker Carl Albert over Congressional “Hideaways”.

The feisty and witty Pat Schroeder is remembered for chairing the l987 Presidential campaign of Gary Hart, and then running for President herself, when he withdrew. At a farewell press conference, she stated that she had “spent 24 Years in a Federal Institution”. The humorous title for her memoir published in l998 was, 24 Years of House Work … and the Place is Still A Mess.

Schroeder coined the famous phrase “Teflon President” to describe Ronald Reagan. She is also remembered for her frankness by saying that she “had an incredible urge to wash Richard Nixon’s face” because he wore makeup all the time. Pat and her husband currently live in Celebration, Florida, where she is a strong supporter of Alan Grayson’s re-election to Congress.

Schroeder will share her clear-eyed perspective on the current political climate nationally, as well as in Florida. DCI invites anyone who is interested in getting involved in progressive and Democratic politics to attend. There is no admission fee, but seating is limited, so it will be on a first come, first served basis.

The Club welcomes persons of all races, color, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation and national origin. DCI is an authorized organization of the Lee County Democratic Executive Committee, organized to stimulate interest in political and governmental affairs, to educate the electorate about issues, and to further the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party, and to foster good fellowship among Democrats and Progressives on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. For more information call 395-9078 or e-mail DemClubIslands@gmail.com.