Tuesday, May 1, 2007

It's A Boy

Rep. Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R-Washington) gave birth to a baby boy in Bethesda, Maryland (say that three times fast) on Sunday.

Cole McMorris Rodgers came into the world weighing 5 pounds, 9 ounces. The congresswoman released a statement;

"Brian and I are overjoyed by the birth of our son. Although he arrived early, both baby and I are doing well and recovering at the hospital. We look forward to soon being able to bring our son home,"

The baby was due at the end of May and came a month early. He is in the the neonatal intensive care unit at Bethesda Naval Hospital being treated for minor complications, but should be just fine.

McMorris Rodgers is not the first woman to give birth while a member of Congress, she is, in fact the fifth;

Rep. Yvonne Brathwaite Burke (D-California) was the first to give birth in office in 1973, the second didn't come for another 22 years, when Rep. Enid Greene (R-Utah) gave birth. The next year, it happened twice; Rep. Susan Molinari (R-New York), who represented Staten Island did it in May 1996, followed six weeks later by Rep. Blanche Lincoln (D-Arkansas), who had twin boys. Lincoln later retired at the end of her term, only to come back two years later and become a US Senator.

An interesting note: The father of Molinari's child was Rep. Bill Paxton (R-New York), who represented the Burned-Over District of Western New York at the same time she represented Staten Island, thus, they were the first Congressional couple to have a child in office.

Another interesting note: Children under 12 are allowed on the House floor, so Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers will be allowed to bring baby Cole on the floor with her to show her pride and joy off to her fellow members of Congress.

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