Committee Firsts
The oldest standing Committee in the United States House of Representatives is the Committee on Ways and Means. First created as a select committee in the 1st Congress on July 24, 1789, it became a standing committee in the 4th Congress (1795–1797). |
First Hispanic American to chair a standing House committee: Romulado Pacheco of California chaired the Private Land Claims Committee, 47th Congress (1881–1883). |
First woman to chair a standing House committee: Mae Ella Nolan of California chaired Expenditures in the Post Office Department, 68th Congress (1923–1925). |
First African American to chair a standing House committee: William L. Dawson of Illinois chaired Expenditures in the Executive Departments, 81st Congress (1949–1951). |
First Asian American to chair a standing House committee: Norman Mineta of California chaired the Committee on Public Works and Transportation, 103rd Congress (1993–1995). |
