[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 21, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                     FREEDOM SUMMER REMEMBRANCE DAY

  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on 
Post Office and Civil Service and the Committee on the Judiciary be 
discharged from further consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 457) 
expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that June 21, 
1994, be designated as ``Freedom Summer Remembrance Day,'' and for 
other purposes, and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Holden). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Maryland?
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I am pleased 
to join with my friend, the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Lewis], in 
introducing this resolution commemorating Freedom Summer of 1964 and 
the efforts of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner. 
With this resolution, we are designating June 21, 1994, the 30th 
anniversary of their deaths, as ``Freedom Summer '94 Day.''
  It is fitting for us to focus our attention on the contributions made 
to civil rights by a group of dedicated young people 30 years ago this 
summer. Hundreds of concerned young men and women joined Freedom Summer 
and worked for justice in Mississippi in 1964. Three of them made the 
ultimate sacrifice--one black Mississippian and two Jewish northerners. 
Three Americans not yet old enough to vote were killed in the cause of 
registering others to vote. I know that there are many Members of this 
body who will remember exactly where they were when they heard that 
Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and James Chaney were dead.
  I was not in Mississippi that summer, but three summers before I was 
there as a Freedom Rider--and I had witnessed first-hand the attempts 
to resist integration. I saw friends beaten, I saw mobs attack women 
and children, I ducked from gunfire, and I served a jail sentence in 
the Mississippi State Penitentiary for my commitment to the principle 
of equality. I am proud, and yet humble, that I was able to add my 
contribution to this noble cause.
  As we pause here today to reflect upon the events of 30 years ago and 
to begin the Freedom Summer '94 commemoration, it is most important for 
us to remember the goals of those young people in 1964. We have made 
progress. Yes, it is true that all Americans now have the right to sit 
in the front of the bus. Yes, it is true that all Americans now have 
the right to vote. But prejudice and inequity remain.
  When we hear of the lack of jobs and economic opportunity for our 
inner city youth, when we hear of the scourge of drugs and random 
violence that threaten our communities, indeed, when we hear the 
President remind us that our children are now planning their own 
funerals, we recognize that the goals of Freedom Summer are not yet 
realized. So, in Freedom Summer '94, thousands of young people, ages 14 
to 24, are organizing to improve the quality of life in their own 
neighborhoods. We met with many of them last evening, and their 
enthusiasm, dedication, and idealism are an inspiration to us all.
  Let us, today, rededicate ourselves to caring, to working, to voting 
in this Chamber so that all American children will have the opportunity 
to live in a safe community, to an education worthy of their intellect 
and talents, to health care that is a right--not a privilege, and to a 
job and a future full of hope and promise.
  There is still much work to be done.
  Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I 
rise today in support of House Resolution 457. This resolution 
commemorates the Mississippi Summer Project of 1964 and the efforts of 
James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner by expressing the 
sense of this body that June 21, 1994--the 30th anniversary of their 
deaths--should be designated as Freedom Summer '94 Day.
  These three young men gave their lives to advance the cause of 
freedom for every American. They were fighting and struggling for the 
universal right to vote. We must never forget these three men and what 
they died for.
  This resolution also calls attention to Freedom Summer '94. This 
summer, youth organizations throughout the country are planning to 
establish creative partnerships among young leaders and help build a 
national network of youth leadership. At a time when many of our young 
people feel left out and left behind, it is my hope that the spirit of 
Chaney, Goodman, and Schwerner will inspire, motivate, and encourage 
our young leaders of today.
  One of the most important things I tell people today is that you must 
believe in the possibility of positive change.
  Thirty years ago, I watched young blacks and young whites struggling, 
fighting and shedding blood together. We stood together during times of 
difficulty. We must continue to do so now. As Americans, we should be 
about the business of building a truly interracial democracy, rather 
than dividing people along racial, ethnic and religious lines.
  During that period of our history, there was a coalition of 
conscience that worked together in a struggle to create an interracial 
democracy in America--to create what I like to call the ``Beloved 
Community.'' People from all walks of life, especially young people, 
and from around the country struggled together during Freedom Summer to 
make the State of Mississippi and the Nation a better place.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased and delighted to sponsor House Resolution 
457. I want to thank everyone who supported this resolution and my 
colleague from California, Congressman Filner, who I first met in 1961 
as a fellow freedom rider. Mr. Filner worked very hard this week to win 
support for this resolution.
  I am also pleased to announce that several of my colleagues and I 
will hold a special order later today to honor the memory of the three 
young men who gave their lives in the cause of freedom. I look forward 
to the special order and the participation of my colleagues.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of 
objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the resolution, as follows:

                              H. Res. 457

       Whereas on June 21, 1964, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and 
     Michael Schwerner gave their lives at a young age in an 
     effort to guarantee the rights that are the birthright of 
     every citizen of the United States, particularly the right to 
     vote;
       Whereas James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner 
     were part of a movement that helped to achieve the passage of 
     the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 
     and other milestones in the progress of this Nation toward 
     achieving the goal of ensuring equal rights, equal 
     opportunities and equal justice for all;
       Whereas during the 30 years after the deaths of James 
     Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, this Nation 
     has benefitted tremendously from the removal of many barriers 
     to full participation by every citizen of this nation in 
     political, educational and economic life;
       Whereas the lives and resultant deaths of James Chaney, 
     Andrew Goodman, and Michael Schwerner have come to symbolize 
     the dream of brotherhood and sisterhood among citizens of 
     this Nation from all races, religions and ethnic backgrounds 
     and serve to inspire all citizens--in particular young 
     citizens--to be dedicated to the ideals of justice, equality, 
     citizenship and community;
       Whereas the lifework of these men and thousands of other 
     young students who traveled to Mississippi remains unfinished 
     until all barriers are removed that bar the full 
     participation of every citizen of this Nation in the 
     democratic process of this Nation, especially the electoral 
     process; and
       Whereas the Nation continues to need the leadership and 
     involvement of all its citizens, in particular the young, in 
     solving problems in their communities and improving the lives 
     of those in need: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, that it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that--
       (1) June 21, 1994, is designated as Freedom Summer 
     Remembrance Day;
       (2) the House of Representatives expresses the importance 
     of citizens--regardless of party, ideology, age, race, creed, 
     and socio-economic status--working to improve this Nation and 
     address issues most critical to their communities;
       (3) the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has helped to fulfill the 
     promise of democracy in this Nation; and
       (4) the House of Representatives reaffirms the goal of 
     removing remaining barriers to full voter participation in 
     this Nation.

  The resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________