On July 20, 2005, Rep. John Tanner and fellow sponsors of the Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act met at the Capitol to "gerrymander" a cake in honor the birthday of Elbridge Gerry. Gerry, former Massachusetts Governor and 5th Vice President of the United States, is credited as the source of the term "gerrymandering."

The bill has received bipartisan support from more than thirty House Members. Speakers at FairVote's event included Tennesse's Tanner (D), Jim Cooper (D), and Zach Wamp (R), as well as Oregon's Earl Blumenauer (D), Florida's Allen Boyd (D), California's Jim Costa (D), Louisiana's Charlie Melancon (D), Ed Davis of Common Cause and FairVote's John Anderson and Rob Richie.

[ See pictures from the event ]
[ Read FairVote's Press Release ]
[ More on the Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act ]