[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 301 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 301

 Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock 
Central High School, one of the most significant events in the American 
                         civil rights movement.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             August 3, 2007

 Mrs. Lincoln (for herself, Mr. Pryor, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Menendez, Mrs. 
Boxer, Mr. Leahy, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Salazar, Mr. Durbin, Mr. 
 Obama, Mr. Biden, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Carper, Mr. Kerry, Mrs. Feinstein, 
  Mr. Chambliss, and Mr. Specter) submitted the following resolution; 
          which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

                           September 6, 2007

                Reported by Mr. Leahy, without amendment

                           September 7, 2007

                        Considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock 
Central High School, one of the most significant events in the American 
                         civil rights movement.

Whereas the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education 
        of Topeka established that racial segregation in public schools violated 
        the Constitution of the United States;
Whereas, in September 1957, 9 African-American students (Minnijean Brown, 
        Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Thelma Mothershed, Melba Pattillo, 
        Gloria Ray, Terrence Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, and Carlotta Walls), 
        known as the ``Little Rock Nine'', became the first African-American 
        students at Little Rock Central High School;
Whereas the Little Rock Nine displayed tremendous strength, determination, and 
        courage despite enduring verbal and physical abuse;
Whereas Little Rock Central High School was listed in the National Register of 
        Historic Places on August 19, 1977, and was designated a National 
        Historic Landmark on May 20, 1982;
Whereas, on November 6, 1998, Congress established the Little Rock Central High 
        School National Historic Site in the State of Arkansas (Public Law 105-
        356), which is administered in partnership with the National Park 
        Service, the Little Rock Public School System, the City of Little Rock, 
        and other entities;
Whereas, in 2007, Little Rock Central High School and the Little Rock Central 
        High School Integration 50th Anniversary Commission will host events to 
        commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine entering Little 
        Rock Central High School;
Whereas these events will include the opening of a new visitors' center and 
        museum, which will feature exhibits on the Little Rock Nine and the road 
        to desegregation; and
Whereas Little Rock Central High School continues to be regarded as one of the 
        best public high schools in the United States, with students scoring 
        above the national average on the ACT, PSAT, and PLAN tests and 
        receiving an average of $3,000,000 in academic scholarships each year: 
        Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) recognizes the extraordinary bravery and courage of the 
        Little Rock Nine, who helped expand opportunity and equality in 
        public education in Arkansas and throughout the United States 
        by becoming the first African-American students at Little Rock 
        Central High School;
            (2) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the desegregation 
        of Little Rock Central High School, one of the most significant 
        events in the American civil rights movement;
            (3) encourages all people of the United States to reflect 
        on the importance of this event; and
            (4) acknowledges that continued efforts and resources 
        should be directed to enable all children to achieve equal 
        opportunity in education in the United States.
                                 <all>