David K. Stone (American, 1922 - 2001) "U.S. House of Representatives" Signed lower right. Original Oil painting on Masonite.Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. 25c U.S. House of Representatives stamp issued April 4, 1989.The idea for the House of Representatives, as with its counterpart, the Senate, was born in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention. After ratification of the Constitution in 1789, the House began work with sixty-five members. The stamp featured on this First Day Covermemorates the Two Hundredth Anniversary of the House, which by 1913 had grown to four hundred thirty-five members. Traditionally, the House has remained at that number, with the exception of a temporary expansion in 1959. At that time, Hawaii and Alaska became states, and two extra members were temporarily added to represent them in the House. Representatives are apportioned to states on the basis of population, and are reapportioned after each census to maintain a fair distribution. A Representative must be at least twenty-five years old, have been a citizen of the United States for seven years, and be a resident of the state that he or she is representing. Representatives conduct business inmittees and sumittees. The three most importantmittees are Ways and Means, Appropriations, and Rules, handling tax measures, funding for government agencies and the flow of business on the House floor, respectively. The House processes ten to fifteen thousand bills annually and helps enact a large number of public and private laws each year. The House also has the power to elect a President, should the electoral college fail to do so, and the House alone has the power to impeach the President and other high-ranking officials.Image Size: 17.75 x 20.75 in.Overall Size: 23.75 x 27 in.Unframed.(B11951)