FYI, here is what's come in to the Blog that relates to this office/rank.
   For recent questions sent in, check out Robert Hickey's Blog.
   For specific offices/ranks, check out Robert Hickey's On-Line Guide.

How to Address an Invitation to Former Speaker
of the U.S. House of Representatives and His/Her Spouse?
      Could you please let me know the proper way to address the outer and inner envelopes of a wedding invitation to a former Speaker of the United States House of  Representatives (specifically Newton Gingrich and his wife).
      -- B. Pitt


Dear B. Pitt:
     In the media commentators address former speaker Newt Gingrich as Speaker Gingrich, but it not formally correct. Former speakers are not formally addressed as Speaker since there is only one speaker at a time.
    Most formally he is addressed as any former member of the House of Representatives. Address the outside envelope to them as:
        The Honorable Newton Gingrich
               and Mrs. Gingrich
                     (Address)
    Address him and his wife on the inside envelope as:
         Mr. and Mrs. Gingrich
    In an introduction it would be appropriate to specify and honor is service more completely.
        The Honorable Newt Gingrich, Speaker of the House from 1995-1999.
    For more on the history of this tradition see this post.     
                     -- Robert Hickey

How to Write a Place Card for a Former Speaker of the House of Representatives?
What is the proper form of to put on a place card for former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich? Can I write the card as Speaker Gingrich?
         --- Sarah Buchanan

Dear Ms. Buchanan,
         Formally, former Speaker Newt Gingrich's place card should be Mr. Gingrich rather than Speaker Gingrich in spite of what might hear in the media.
    For more on the history of this tradition see this post.     
           -- Robert Hickey

How to Address In Conversation
A Former Speaker of the House?
     There’s a question lingering around the Capitol: What should people call Nancy Pelosi? Is it still Madame Speaker? Or is it Madame Leader, or Ms. Pelosi?
     -- TB

Dear TB:
     Former Speakers are not addressed as Speaker. They go back to whatever they were addresses as before being the Speaker and are identified as “a former Speaker of the House.” Only the current office holder is addressed as a Speaker.
    The media refers to the Speaker in stories as Speaker (Name) … but this is in the third person, a shorthand to make it clear to the reader or listener to whom the journalist is referring. In direct address the correct form is Mr. Speaker or Madame Speaker.
    Here are the rules:
    #1 For offices of which there is only one office holder at a time (e.g., Prime Minister, President, Speaker, Governor, Mayor, etc.) only the current office holder is addressed by the same honorific of the office.
    Former office holders go back to whatever their honorific was before they held office. In this case the former Speaker goes back to the highest honorific to which they are entitled before becoming Speaker.  Or, in another example, Colin Powell is no longer addressed as Secretary Powell … he is back to what he was before he became the Secretary of State: General Powell.
    Ms. Pelosi, Congresswoman Pelosi, Representative Pelosi, Chairman Pelosi … whatever is her preference and pertinent to the office you are referring to her as holding, are the completely respectful, and traditional forms of address.
    #2 Offices that are held by more than one person at the same time are different. In those cases, (e.g.,  Admirals, Senators, Judges, Professors, Ambassadors, etc.). former and retired individuals DO continue to use their former honorific. Having two ambassadors or two senators in the room is not confusing.
    #3 The individual is flattered by the honorific inflation, but, when you ask them directly they say "It's not correct." Having been the singular office holder they know what it's like to have all the formers clinging to their past glory!
    -- Robert Hickey

How to Introduce the The Speaker of the House
and The President-elect of the United States?

January 6, 2009
Dear Sir:
     A quick question for you… President-Elect Barack Obama will be meeting with the Speaker.  In making an introduction, I think it would be appropriate to introduce Obama to Pelosi, given that the Speaker’s current position takes precedence.  Would you agree?  Obama is not yet the President, but he is no longer Senator.  Would it be appropriate to say the following, “Madam Speaker, I would like to introduce to you Senator Obama, President-Elect of the United States.”
             --- KB on Capitol Hill


Dear KB:
Yes, the Speaker has higher precedence in the introduction, President-elect is not on precedence lists -- but "Senator" is ... and a Senator is lower than Speaker of the House.
    The wording you suggest sounds good.
    Or you could say "Madame Speaker may I present the President-elect" or "Madame Speaker may I present the President-elect of the United States" Since you address her by her office, maybe it's a elegant to identify him by his new office? She knows he's Senator Obama.
           -- Robert Hickey

Not Finding Your Question Answered?
Below are other topics covered in my blog and at right is a list of officials, Between the two I probably have what you are looking for.
     After hunting around a bit, if you don't see your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day (unless I am traveling.)
      If I think your question is of interest to others, I will post the question & answer – with your name and any personal specifics changed.
      -- Robert Hickey

USE OF NAMES & HONORIFICS   
Mr., Miss, Jr., III, & Names        
Married Women       
Deceased Persons         
People with Two Titles
Post-Nominal Abbreviations and Initials           
Couples: Joint Forms of Address    (How to address a couple?)   

USE OF SPECIFIC OFFICIAL TITLES        
Former Officials            
Professionals and Academics        

United States Federal Officials, Currently In Office             
United States State Officials, Currently In Office              
United States Municipal Officials, Currently In Office             
       All About The Honorable with U.S. Officials         
       Former United States Officials of all types             
United States Armed Services, Active Duty             
       Addressing Retired Personnel      
       Use of Rank by Retired Personnel      
       Use of Rank by Veterans      

Tribal Officials             
Clergy and Religious Officials           
Canadian Officials         
Australian Officials          
British Officials, Royalty, and Nobility        
Diplomats and International Representatives            
Foreign National Officials and Nobility        

SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
Business Cards       
Couples        
Etiquette             
Flags and Anthem Protocol             
Introductions            
Invitations: Writing & Addressing         
Invitations: Just Armed Service Personnel        
Name Tags            
Names on Programs, Signs, & Lists            
Naming a Building or Road            
Place Cards            
Plaques, Awards, Diplomas, Certificates    
Precedence: Ordering Officials           
Thank You Notes             

Back to directory of titles  /  See who is using Honor & Respect

For forms of address for invitations, place cards, name badges, introductions, conversation, and all other formal uses, see Honor & Respect: the Official Guide to Names, Titles, and Forms of Address.

Copyright © 2013 Robert Hickey.     All Rights Reserved.
Photo: Marc Goodman.