Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Congratulations, Sen. Duckworth!

Posted in:

Illinois

Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., on Monday gave birth to a daughter, Maile Pearl Bowlsbey, becoming the first sitting senator to have a baby while in office.

Duckworth, who turned 50 on March 12, is one of only 10 women in the history of the nation to give birth while in Congress, with the other babies born to members serving in the House.

This is the second child for Duckworth and her husband, Bryan Bowlsbey. Daughter Abigail was born Nov. 18, 2014, when Duckworth was 47 and in the House, representing a suburban Chicago congressional district.

Maile was born in a hospital in suburban Washington.

* Press release…

U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) became the first U.S. Senator to give birth while in office when she delivered her second daughter, Maile (pronounced MY-lee) Pearl Bowlsbey, today. Senator Duckworth and family are recovering well and appreciate respect for their privacy during this time. She issued the following statement:

“Bryan, Abigail and I couldn’t be happier to welcome little Maile Pearl as the newest addition to our family and we’re deeply honored that our good friend Senator Akaka was able to bless her name for us—his help in naming both of our daughters means he will always be with us.

“Pearl Bowlsbey Johnson was Bryan’s great Aunt, an Army Officer and a nurse who served during the Second World War. He spent many summer months with her while growing up, we feel her presence still and are grateful for her service to our nation during the most challenging of times.

“We’re also so grateful for the love and support of our friends and family, as well as our wonderful medical teams for everything they’ve done to help us in our decades-long journey to complete our family.”

Though millions of American women have become mothers while continuing their careers, Senator Duckworth is one of only 10 women since our nation’s founding who have given birth while serving in Congress. Her experiences as a working mother give her an important—and underrepresented—perspective in the halls of Congress, where she has long advocated on behalf of working families.

“Parenthood isn’t just a women’s issue, it’s an economic issue and one that affects all parents—men and women alike,” the Senator continued. “As tough as juggling the demands of motherhood and being a Senator can be, I’m hardly alone or unique as a working parent, and my children only make me more committed to doing my job and standing up for hardworking families everywhere.”

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 1:49 pm

Comments

Yay, Senator and family!

Comment by Cheryl44 Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 1:51 pm
Cool, congrats Senator!

Comment by Ron Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 1:55 pm
Welcome to the world, Maile!

Comment by JoanP Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 1:59 pm
Congratulations, Sen. Duckworth.

All the best to you and your family. What wonderful news.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 2:02 pm
Making history in a very cool way.

Founding Fathers never saw this coming.

Comment by wordslinger Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 2:03 pm
Congratulations on the new addition to your family. May she grow up to be as wise as her mother.

Comment by Aldyth Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 2:11 pm
Such happy news. Best wishes to Sen. Duckworth and family.

And may our society be blessed with even more mothers and mothers-to-be holding office to bring that much needed perspective more prominently to the public policy agenda.

Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 2:26 pm
No cute baby pictures?

Comment by A Jack Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 2:29 pm
Awesome news. Congratulations.

Comment by SAP Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 2:31 pm
Congratulations, Senator Duckworth!

Comment by Osborne Smith III Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 3:06 pm
This is such good news.

Comment by Soccermom Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 3:10 pm
Tammy Duckworth is such an inspiration in so many ways.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 3:31 pm
Congratulations, Sen. Duckworth!

Comment by Nick Name Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 3:37 pm
Congratulations Tammy!

Comment by Dead Head Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 3:58 pm
Best to the Senator her. Husband and family!

Comment by bear3 Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 4:31 pm
I heard if it was going to be a boy, he’d be named Michael M. Bowelsby, just to keep the Governor guessing what the middle name would be.
Congratulations, Senator! Love what you’re doing in D.C., keep it up.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Apr 9, 18 @ 5:38 pm