Commemorating the Life and Career of Molly Ivins

The following resolution was passed by the Democratic National Committee at its meeting on February 3, 2007.

Submitted by:
Susan Turnbull, DNC Vice Chair/Maryland
Linda Chavez-Thompson, DNC Vice Chair/Texas
Hon. Mike Honda, DNC Vice Chair/California
Lottie Shackelford, Arkansas
And the Members of the DNC Executive Committee

Resolution Commemorating the Life and Career of Molly Ivins

WHEREAS, Molly Ivins was a ‘sharp-witted liberal’ who’s powerful voice graced political columns across the country as she passionately and eloquently defended the poorest and weakest among us, while challenging the corruption of the most powerful; and

WHEREAS, Mary Tyler Ivins was born on August 30, 1944 in Monterey, California, and was raised in Houston, Texas; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from St. John’s School in Houston, Texas and earning a BA at Smith College, she went on to earn a Masters at Columbia University’s School of Journalism, and spent a year studying in Paris, France at the Institute of Political Science; and

WHEREAS, her first jobs in journalism included working for the Houston Chronicle’s complaint department; for the Minneapolis Tribune as the city’s first female police reporter; and then at the Texas Observer; and

WHEREAS, The New York Times hired Molly Ivins in 1976 in an effort to bring more wit and life to the publication’s writing style; and

WHEREAS, after working for The New York Times for six years, she wrote for the Dallas Times Herald and then for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram before becoming an independent journalist in 2001; and

WHEREAS, as a independent journalist who captivated readers with her use of colorful language and trademark phrases, her columns regularly appeared in nearly 400 papers nationwide; and

WHEREAS, she co-authored two best-selling books with Texas journalist Lou Dubose, including “Shrub: The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush” in 2000, and “Bushwhacked” in 2003; and

WHEREAS, through her genuine voice, witty humor and Texas charm, Molly Ivins continued to captivate millions of loyal readers with her best selling books and political columns until her final days; and

WHEREAS, Molly Ivins passed away after a seven-year battle with breast cancer on January 31, 2007, at the age of 62;

THEFEFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) celebrates the life of Molly Ivins; her warm and generous spirit that was always illustrated through her words and actions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the DNC extends its condolences to the entire Ivins family and to her millions of devoted fans.