An appointed officer of the

United States House of Representatives The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the Lower house, lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the United States Senate, Senate being ...

from 1789 until 1995, the Doorkeeper of the United States House of Representatives was chosen by a

resolution Resolution(s) may refer to: Common meanings * Resolution (debate), the statement which is debated in policy debate * Resolution (law), a written motion adopted by a deliberative body * New Year's resolution, a commitment that an individual mak ...

at the opening of each

United States Congress The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. It meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washing ...

. The Office of the Doorkeeper was based on precedent from the

Continental Congress The Continental Congress was a series of legislative bodies, with some executive function, for thirteen of Britain's colonies in North America, and the newly declared United States just before, during, and after the American Revolutionary War. ...

es. Without debate, the First Federal Congress created the Doorkeeper's position by resolution on April 2, 1789. The Doorkeeper controlled access to the House Chamber and eventually oversaw the press in the gallery. The doorkeeper’s most visible job was introducing American presidents and foreign dignitaries to Congress. For 18 years, before the

State of the Union The State of the Union Address (sometimes abbreviated to SOTU) is an annual message delivered by the president of the United States to a joint session of the United States Congress near the beginning of each calendar year on the current conditio ...

address, Doorkeeper

James T. Molloy James Thomas Molloy (June 3, 1936 – July 19, 2011) was elected Doorkeeper of the United States House of Representatives, Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives during the 93rd United States Congress, Congress in 1974 and served through the 10 ...

announced, "Mister Speaker, the president of the United States.” The office of Doorkeeper was abolished during the

104th Congress The 104th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, composed of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from January 3, 19 ...

(). Thirty-three Doorkeepers served until the position was abolished and the office's duties were divided among the Sergeant at Arms, the

Clerk of the House The clerk, chief clerk, or secretary of a legislative chamber is the senior administrative officer responsible for ensuring that its business runs smoothly. This may encompass keeping custody of documents lain before the house, received, or produ ...

, and the newly created

Chief Administrative Officer A chief administrative officer (CAO) is a top-tier executive who supervises the daily operations of an organization and is ultimately responsible for its performance. Government and non-profit A CAO is responsible for administrative management of ...

List of Doorkeepers

Two Doorkeepers also served as members of the United States House of Representatives (indicated below by asterisks) either prior to or after their service as a House officer.

Notes

References

Clerk of the House
**''House Journal'', various editions; ''

Congressional Record The ''Congressional Record'' is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published by the United States Government Publishing Office and issued when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record Inde ...

'', various editions; **''

Biographical Directory of the United States Congress The ''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress'' (Bioguide) is a biographical dictionary of all present and former members of the United States Congress and its predecessor, the Continental Congress. Also included are Delegates from ...

'' (2005); **''

Congressional Pictorial Directory The ''Congressional Pictorial Directory'' is a picture directory of leaders and members of the United States Congress and other key officials including the President. It is published at least once every Congressional Term and is in the public ...

'', various editions; **'' Congressional Directory'', various editions; **Donald Bacon, et al., ''Encyclopedia of the U.S. Congress'', vol. 1 (NY: Simon and Schuster, 1995): 659–661. {{authority control Employees of the United States House of Representatives 1789 establishments in the United States