[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 17 (Tuesday, February 11, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H422-H435]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          BLACK HISTORY MONTH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under the Speaker's announced policy of 
January 7, 1997, the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters] is 
recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the minority leader.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I come today to open a discussion and create 
a forum right here on the floor of the House on African-Americans. We 
are, in the month of February, proudly celebrating American life and 
history for African-Americans.
  We come today to take this time to talk about the contributions of 
African-Americans, to talk about the struggle of African-Americans, to 
identify and to celebrate the many contributions that African-Americans 
have made to this country and this world.
  Back in 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard Ph.D. who had 11 years 
earlier founded the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and 
History, initiated what was known as Negro History Week. It was Dr. 
Woodson's hope that through this very special observance, all Americans 
would be reminded of their ethnic roots, and a togetherness in U.S. 
racial groups would develop out of a mutual respect for all 
backgrounds.
  Now we have expanded Negro History Week to Negro History Month, so 
the entire month of February you will see programs and activities all 
over America. You will see children in elementary schools identifying 
the contributions of African-Americans to this Nation. You will witness 
plays, you will see poems written, all kinds of activities basically 
focusing on the work, the life, the history, and the times of African-
Americans.

                              {time}  1530

  I come today to share this time with the Members of the Congressional 
Black Caucus and others who would like to give their observations and 
to do their documenting of those events and those individuals who have 
been central and important to the development of African-Americans in 
this Nation.
  It is with that that I will yield to the gentleman from Chicago, IL 
[Mr. Davis], one of our new Members in the House of Representatives, 
who has come today to share in this very special moment and to give his 
observations on the life and times of African-Americans in this Nation.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, the United States of America is 
indeed a strong, vibrant, diverse, and great Nation. Much of its 
strength, character, and greatness stems from the fact that it is rich 
in diversity.
  We are America, a nation that is made up of many different 
individuals and groups who have contributed significantly to its growth 
and development.
  During the month of February, yes, we celebrate African-American or 
Black History Month, a period which we set aside to take special note 
and highlight the accomplishments and achievements of African-Americans 
who have excelled or made noteworthy contributions.
  Mr. Speaker, I should take this opportunity to highlight some of the 
outstanding African-Americans who grew up in, lived, and/or worked in 
the district which I am proud to represent, the Seventh Congressional 
District of the State of Illinois, one of the most diverse districts in 
the Nation. Downtown Chicago, Chinatown, the Gold Coast, the 
Magnificent Mile, housing developments like Cabrini, like Rockwell, 
Abla, the West Side of Chicago, home of the riots, suburban 
communities, Oak Park, Maywood, Bellwood, Broadview.
  It became a focal point of the Negro Free Speech Movement in the 
1890's. At that time it was home to one of the most famous black female 
journalists of all times, Ida B. Wells Barnett.
  It was the last port of entry for African-Americans leaving the South 
in large numbers, migrating to the North, the Northeast, and the 
Midwest.
  It has been a launching pad for many black firsts. The first black 
woman to receive an international pilot's license, Bessie Coleman, 
lived there. The world renowned chemist Dr. Percy B. Julian, the holder 
of 19 honorary doctorate degrees, an individual who helped to shape 
medical research procedures, lived there.
  The famous black daily newspaper, the Chicago Daily Defender, was 
founded there by Robert Abbot with $25 and a typewriter at his kitchen 
table.
  Johnson Publishing Co., Ebony, Jet, and other components of the 
business founded by Mr. John H. Johnson and now operated by his 
daughter, Ms. Linda Johnson Rice, operates in the Seventh District.
  Parker House Sausage Co.'s president, Daryl Grisham, lived in the 
district. Oprah Winfrey, that everybody in America knows, operates out 
of the Seventh District. Marva Collins, founder of the Westside Prep 
School and Paul Adams, principal of Providence-St. Mel College Prep, 
two of the most successful educators in the country today, live and 
work in the district.
  Earl Neal, one of the top attorneys in the Nation, lived and worked 
in the district. Jewel Lafentant-Mankarious, the first black woman to 
become Deputy Solicitor General of the United States of America, lived 
in the district.
  The district has been home to the practice of Dr. Maurice Robb, one 
of the foremost ophthalmologists in the Nation. It has produced star 
athletes like Mark Aguirre, Isiah Thomas, Kevin Garnett, Daryl 
Stingley, Michael Finley, Glenn Rivers, Hershey Hawkins, Russell 
Maryland, Mickey Johnson, Otis Armstrong, and others.
  Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippin have perfected their craft in the 
Seventh District. And when we see children playing in the James Jordan 
Boys and Girls Club, you see greatness at work. The renowned writer, 
producer, and actor, Robert Townsend, grew up in the district.
  This inner city district has produced the likes of Jerry (Iceman) 
Butler, Ramsey Lewis, Tyrone Davis, Alvin Cash, Gene Chandler, the 
Brown Brothers, the Family Jubilee, Vernon Oliver Price, the Thompson 
Community Singers, Angela Spivey, and other great entertainers; 
nationally renowned African-American ministers like the Reverend Clay 
Evans, Bishop Louis Henry Ford, Rev. Harry McNelty, Rev. Wallace Sykes, 
Rev. Johnny Miller, Rev. Clarence Stowers, Rev. Charlie Murray, Rev. 
Jimmie Pettis, Rev. Albert Tyson, Rev. August Minor, and others all 
live in the district.
  I have spoken of contemporaries. I have made a point to do so because 
so often when we talk about history, we forget about those individuals 
who are struggling each and every day in an effort to make history 
real. And so all of the individuals, the people who struggle on a daily 
basis, who work with our children, who work with our seniors, the 
chairpersons of local advisory counsels, of public housing units and 
public housing developments, all of these individuals are my heroes and 
sheroes. They are my heroes, Mr. Speaker, they are my heroes because 
they understand what Fred Douglass taught when he suggested that 
struggle, struggle, strife, and pain are the prerequisites for change. 
They understand that if there is no struggle, there is no progress. And 
so Black History Month reminds us that when we glory in the struggle, 
all of America can rejoice in the victory.
  So, yes, African-Americans have indeed contributed and African-
Americans have indeed made progress. But I

[[Page H423]]

tell you, Mr. Speaker, we must continue to struggle to keep affirmative 
action alive. We must continue to struggle so that we can prevent 
redlining. We must struggle for equal protection, for help for the 
helpless and hope for the hopeless. We must struggle for a livable wage 
so that as individuals work, they can earn enough to take care of their 
basic needs.
  So, yes, we have made great progress. And as James Weldon Johnson 
would say, Stony has been the road we have tred, bitter the chastening 
rod, felt in the days when hope unborn had died, but with a steady 
beat, have not our weary feet brought us to the place for which our 
fathers sighed.
  Mr. Speaker, we have come over ways that with tears have been 
watered. We have come treading through the blood of the slaughtered, 
out from the gloomy past until now we stand at last where the white 
gleam of our bright star is cast.
  I know, Mr. Speaker, that as we celebrate African-American history 
month, as we face the rising sun of our new day begun, I am confident 
that with the leadership of the gentlewoman from California, Ms. Waters 
with the togetherness of the caucus and with the activation of 
Americans all over this land, as we face the rising sun of our new day 
begun, I am confident that we shall march on till the victory is won.
  I thank so much the gentlewoman from California.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, before moving onto our next presenter, I 
would like to again take a moment to thank our colleagues who are 
joining me in the House Chamber today. Again, I would like to 
reiterate, we gather to mark the congressional observance of Black 
History Month. I join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus 
and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle as we acknowledge the 
contributions of African-American men and women to the building and 
shaping of this great Nation. African-Americans have a history which is 
inextricably woven into the economic, social and political fabric of 
this Nation.
  In 1926, the late Dr. Carter G. Woodson really understood that 
African-Americans were not receiving proper recognition in history for 
their contributions. To alleviate this, Dr. Woodson proposed setting 
aside one week during the month of February to commemorate the 
achievements of African-Americans. In 1976, the observance was changed 
to Black History Month. As we mark the 1997 observance of Black History 
Month, we do so with great appreciation to Dr. Woodson for his 
foresight and leadership.
  The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, 
which Dr. Woodson founded, is responsible each year for establishing 
the theme for our Black History Month observance. This year the 
organization has selected as our theme African-Americans and civil 
rights, a reappraisal. This theme allows us to examine how far we have 
come in the struggle for civil rights. I am pleased to join my 
colleagues as we chart our progress and acknowledge the contributions 
of African-American men and women to the history of the struggle.
  Mr. Speaker, I stand here as the chair of the Congressional Black 
Caucus. Traditionally, we have witnessed at this moment the 
presentation and the leadership of one of our great leaders in the 
Congressional Black Caucus. He is here with us today, and he has 
decided that he shall let us go forward and he will sit by and guide 
us, as we attempt to make this presentation today. It is my great 
pleasure to attempt to carry on in the fine tradition of our leader, 
Congressman Stokes, from the great State of Ohio.
  With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from the Virgin 
Islands, Ms. Christian-Green, one of our new Members who will share 
with us her observations of black history.
  Ms. CHRISTIAN-GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues, the 
gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stokes], the gentleman from New York [Mr. 
Owens], and the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters], Black Caucus 
chair, for organizing this special order and affording me this time to 
say a few words in recognition of Black History Month and the 
contributions that people of color have made to this Nation and to the 
world.
  In keeping with this year's theme, African-Americans and civil 
rights, a reappraisal, I wanted to address reappraisal by especially 
highlighting and honoring the contributions of Virgin Islanders, the 
people from the district that I represent. We in the Virgin Islands are 
proud of our history. The revolt by African slaves on our smallest 
island of St. John in 1733 is one of the earliest successful 
revolutions in this hemisphere.

                              {time}  1545

  On St. Croix our own Moses Gottleib Buddhoe, along with Anna 
Heegaard, were credited with playing a major role in bringing about our 
emancipation in 1848, more than 10 years before our sisters and 
brothers on the mainland. In 1878, three women, Queen Mary, Queen 
Agnes, and Queen Mathilda, continued the quest for civil rights and led 
a ``firebun'' revolt for fair wages. Later, in 1916, D. Hamilton 
Jackson and others continued the struggle for increased rights for 
Virgin Islanders, resulting in better working conditions and freedom of 
the press.
  Many of our firsts have largely gone unrecognized. For example, we 
had the first black female president of a U.S. State legislature in 
Senator Ruby Margaret Rouss, and the first African-American woman to be 
a U.S. Attorney General in J'Ada Finch Sheen.
  We look back with pride at our first elected Governor, Dr. Melvin H. 
Evans, the first African-American to be elected Governor under the U.S. 
flag. He was also a Member of Congress and a member of the 
Congressional Black Caucus from 1978 to 1980.
  My father, Judge Almeric L. Christian, was our first native Federal 
District Court judge.
  We have also shared our heroes and their contributions with our 
Nation at large.
  Before the relationship between the United States and the Virgin 
Islands began in 1917, Virgin Islanders migrated to the United States 
for education, for economics or to join family and friends already 
located here.
  Late in the 19th century and early in the 20th, renowned pan-
Africanist Edward Wilmot Blyden, whose written works were a mainstay of 
African-American intellectuals, was born on St. Thomas. His 
contemporary, Hubert Henry Harrison, known as the Black Socrates, a 
native of St. Croix, was well-known for his soap box lectures in 
Harlem. His were some of the words that fueled the careers of many 
early workers for civil rights, including Marcus Garvey.
  Frank R. Crosswaith, a native of Frederiksted, St. Croix, was an 
early crusader for the integration of Negro workers in the labor 
movement. His work channeled thousands of African-American workers into 
many unions, including those in the AFL-CIO.
  It was a Crucian mother who gave us Arthur Schomburg, who collected 
and preserved many important works by African-Americans during the 
Harlem Renaissance; and it was St. Thomas that produced the ``Harlem 
Fox,'' J. Raymond Jones, widely known for his rise through and 
contributions to the New York City political establishment in the first 
half of this century.
  There are many more, such as Roy Innis of St. Croix, national 
chairman of the Congress of Racial Equality; and others too numerous to 
mention who served in the movement in the '40's, '50's, '60's, '70's 
and even today as students, as marchers, workers, and as other average 
everyday Americans who made their contributions to the furtherance of 
civil rights.
  It is important for us to recognize that the history of African-
Americans is still being written by our hands. As we celebrate this 
month, we acknowledge that there is still much to be written. And let 
it be written that we extended health care to everyone; that we 
educated our children well and kept them safe; and that we rid our 
communities of drugs.
  As we owe this to our forbearers and to those who we now nurture, let 
it also be written that we saw to it that the celebration of our 
history, which was once compressed into 1 month, was finally woven into 
the fabric of everyday American life.
  We in the Congressional Black Caucus consider it our solemn duty to 
keep this history, our history, alive, hopeful and full of the 
greatness that is deserving of our people.
  I thank the gentlewoman for the opportunity to say these few words.

[[Page H424]]

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Guam [Mr. 
Underwood].
  Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for this time. I 
want to express my sincerest thanks for my colleagues, the gentleman 
from Ohio, Representative Louis Stokes, and the gentlewoman from 
California, Maxine Waters, for giving me the opportunity to participate 
in this special order commemorating Black History Month. The trials and 
tribulations of the African-American people stand as a needed reminder 
of America's past and the promise of our future as a Nation. And while 
the days of slavery and social segregation are over, our country 
continues to face challenges engendered by racism and ignorance.
  People from the Territories, the people of Guam, can certainly relate 
to this disenfranchisement and discrimination when it comes to the 
level of participation that we are granted within our own Federal 
system. We do not have complete representation in the House of 
Representatives, we do not have any representation in the Senate and we 
do not even vote for the President.
  Many years ago Joshua Fishman, the noted linguist, in writing about 
ethnic relations in America, stated that other minorities in the 1960's 
got the black disease. By implication this disease was the affliction 
nonblack minorities contracted after black Americans became conscious 
of their roots and justifiably defiant in their pride about their 
origins and their many contributions to American society.
  I am proud to say that I was afflicted with this so-called disease in 
the 1960's, and that the efforts to raise awareness about black 
Americans not only brought into appropriate line the perceptions and 
the understandings of black Americans in American society but certainly 
opened the society to issues surrounding other minorities in this 
country.
  In the context of American history, black heroes and she-roes, to 
borrow a term from an earlier Speaker, are everyone's property. We all 
share and we all take inspiration in and we are all motivated by the 
statements and the actions of a Frederick Douglass, a Malcolm X, a 
Martin Luther King, a Barbara Tubman or even a Maxine Waters.
  I know this from my own personal growth as an individual from a 
faraway island that has not been fully recognized for its contributions 
and relationship to this Nation. And I know this from my own 
intellectual growth and the efforts of my people in struggling with the 
issues of identity and participation and citizenship, in its battle 
with discrimination, racism and ignorance.
  We have much to be grateful for in the commemoration of Black History 
Month. All of us, black and white and all the colors, which make up the 
fabric of our great social and political experiment which we label the 
United States.
  And we must be ever mindful of the fact that Black History Month is 
more than the celebration of individuals who did well. It is the 
commemoration of a people's struggle to be great despite all of the 
odds laid before them. I take pride in that struggle, and the people of 
Guam, I think, continue to be inspired by it.
  I cannot emphasize strongly enough how much the civil rights movement 
benefitted all other minority groups in the United States. And for the 
people of Guam this meant a push for more self-government and a demand 
for the resolution of injustices that have occurred throughout the 
past.
  We on Guam also want to celebrate Black History Month with our small 
but vibrant black community. Several long-time black Guamanians have 
influenced the community in very special ways.
  Fred Jackson of Mangilao is a pioneer businessman on the island, 
having opened the first black-owned business on Guam in the 1970's. His 
wife, Dr. Marilyn Jackson, is a respected educator, having taught in 
many of the island's public schools. And Mrs. Claudette McGhee is yet 
another pioneer, having been one of the first equal employment 
opportunity counselors on the island. I also want to finally draw 
attention to the first black Guamanian Attorney General in the 
government of Guam, Calvin Halloway, a long-time island resident and 
good personal friend.
  Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a great day when the entire Nation 
recognizes the achievements and influence of black communities and 
individual African-Americans throughout the United States of America. I 
hope that our efforts in educating the public into embracing equality 
and basic civil liberties will provide a base upon which we will 
eventually triumph in our battle against racism and its accompanying 
politics of division and destruction.

  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Guam [Mr. 
Underwood] and I yield to the gentleman from the State of Georgia, the 
Honorable John Lewis.
  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague, the 
gentlewoman from California, Maxine Waters, for yielding me this time 
and for calling this special order, along with the gentleman from Ohio, 
Lou Stokes.
  I want to thank Maxine Waters, our colleague, the new chairperson of 
the Congressional Black Caucus, for her leadership, for her vision, for 
bringing to the caucus a sense of vigor and vitality.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to be here today to celebrate Black History 
Month; to talk about the civil rights movement and all that it has 
accomplished. Thirty-two years ago blacks in the South could not vote. 
I could not vote. Blacks were not allowed in the same restaurant as 
whites, the same hotels as whites. Blacks were not even allowed to 
drink from the same water fountain as whites.
  Growing up in rural Alabama, in the heart of the black belt, I grew 
up surrounded by the signs that divided our world: white waiting, 
colored waiting; white men, colored men; white women, colored women.
  In the 1960's, during the movement, all of this changed. People from 
all across our country, men and women, young and old, black and white, 
red, yellow and brown, came to the South. They came to change the world 
and they succeeded. We succeeded. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the 
Voting Rights Act of 1965 changed our country. It changed our world. It 
is a better place. It is a more inclusive place.
  So it pains me today to hear people attack these laws. It pains me to 
hear politicians say that these laws have done more to divide our 
country than to unite it. These people do not know what they are 
saying. They do not know how far we have come.
  To those who say these laws do not work, I say ``Walk in my shoes.'' 
I have seen the progress. I have seen us grow as a Nation and as a 
people. I have seen a poor black man, denied the right to vote, become 
a Member of Congress because of these laws.
  It is not the laws that divide, it is people who divide. It is 
politicians playing the race card to win votes. It is politicians who 
attack any solution to the racism that still exists in our society. It 
is people who ignore the racism and attack those who offer solutions 
and work to overcome the racism that is still with us.
  Yes, Mr. Speaker, we have made great progress as a Nation and as a 
people. The Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act have made us 
equal under the law, but we are still not equal. The scars and stain of 
racism still plague our society.
  We must speak up against those who see the world as rich against 
poor, black against white, us against them. We have heard the political 
speeches, seen the political ads. They fan the flames of racism, the 
racism that burned dozens of black churches to the ground last year.
  My colleagues, thanks to the civil rights movement, we are all equal 
under the law. We have come a long way toward being in a country where 
all men and women are created equal. We have come so far because of the 
movement, because of the laws, not in spite of them.
  It is time, Mr. Speaker, for us to speak openly about race. We must 
redirect the priorities of our Nation. We must use our resources not to 
divide but to bring together, not to tear down but to uplift, not to 
oppress but to set free.
  We, every one of us, have a moral obligation, a mission and a mandate 
from the spirit of history, from our fallen martyrs, Martin Luther 
King, Jr., Medgar Evers, James Chaney, Andy Goodman and Mickey 
Schwerner. We

[[Page H425]]

have an obligation to work for hope and opportunity for all, to build 
upon the civil rights movement, to build upon its legacy which has 
brought us here today.
  Yes, Ms. Waters, as I said earlier, we are a better nation, a better 
people because of the civil rights movement.

                              {time}  1600

  We are in the process of laying down the burden of race, but we must 
do more. We must continue to fight injustice wherever it rears its ugly 
head. And we must continue to dialogue between all men and women of 
good will. I thank the gentlewoman again for holding this special 
order.
  Ms. WATERS. I thank the gentleman from Georgia.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Pelosi].
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I am overwhelmed by the remarks of the 
gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Lewis] and those of all of our other 
colleagues who have spoken in tribute to Black History Month. I want to 
thank the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters] for having this 
special order, more importantly for her incredible leadership on issues 
of concern to our country, which as our colleague says, in promoting 
civil rights and equal justice and equal economic opportunity, helps 
make our country grow. So I thank you for that, Maxine, and to Mr. 
Lewis, and I am tempted to call him chairman, I hope I will again, Lou 
Stokes from Ohio for his great leadership over so many years in this 
Congress and in our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today joining these distinguished leaders and 
many others in the room to celebrate Black History Month and the 
history of the civil rights struggle by remembering the life of a man 
who dedicated his life to peace and civil rights, Dr. Carlton Goodlett, 
physician, civil rights activist, newspaper publisher, champion of 
world peace and San Franciscoan. Dr. Goodlett, who was 82 when he 
passed away just this January 25, established his medical practice in 
San Francisco in 1945 and also became an aggressive civil rights 
advocate. He would associate himself with that characterization of 
aggressive.
  His role as president of the local branch of the NAACP represented 
the start of a long and fruitful public service. Dr. Goodlett denounced 
police brutality, demanded improvements in public housing, exposed the 
exclusion of Jews and African-Americans from the draft boards in San 
Francisco and often single-handedly demonstrated against restaurants 
that refused to serve people of color.
  In 1948, Dr. Goodlett joined with a partner to purchase The Reporter, 
a community weekly newspaper which then overtook its competitor to 
become the Sun Reporter. Perhaps you have heard of it. It is a very 
famous newspaper in our area. Under Dr. Goodlett's stewardship, the Sun 
Reporter became the main African-American newspaper in northern 
California. Anybody who wanted to be involved in politics in our area 
had to go see Dr. Goodlett, and he always, if not his endorsement, 
always gave very good advice.
  Dr. Goodlett juggled many activities and passions but never dropped a 
ball. In addition to his achievements in medicine, publishing and civil 
rights activism, he also placed himself directly at the forefront of 
liberal causes with his activity in the Democratic Party. Are we 
allowed to say the Democratic Party on the floor of the House? Is that 
partisan?
  In 1950 he joined with my predecessor, the great Representative 
Phillip Burton, in founding the San Francisco Young Democrats. He put 
his heart into supporting the campaigns of candidates he believed in, 
like Phillip Burton, John Burton and Willie Brown, our current mayor of 
San Francisco.
  On Friday, we all participated in Dr. Goodlett's memorial service. 
Three generations at least of Californians and Americans were present 
there. It was a joy to see the elderly join with the young people and 
talk about how they had received hope from Dr. Goodlett. They joined 
our distinguished colleague, Congressman Dellums, who gave the eulogy 
and summed it up with his usual eloquence when he stated, ``Carlton had 
zero tolerance for injustice * * * And he helped me understand that I 
am not only a citizen of the Bay Area or the United States. I was a 
citizen of the world. Now, I look and wonder, where are the new 
Carltons? Who will rise to take his place?''
  Dr. Goodlett's presence was deeply felt. His absence will be felt 
equally. He was a man who did many things, all of them well. As we 
celebrate Black History Month, we need look no further for inspiration 
than Dr. Carlton Goodlett. He was a renaissance man who mobilized the 
intellectual resources of his area to fight for civil rights. He was a 
healer, a mentor, a courageous leader, an activist and advocate and 
truly a citizen of the world. As the world will mourn his loss, we must 
remember that he is an inspiration to us all.
  He was famous in our area. We have other inspirations, maybe not so 
famous in their own right. One of them that I would like to recognize 
today is Louise Stokes, mother of her namesake Louis Stokes, because 
she must have been a very remarkable woman. I have heard our colleague 
Lou Stokes talk about his mother with great pride and affection, but we 
know how great she must have been to have produced such a magnificent 
son, Congressman, chairman and another son Carl Stokes, mayor, judge 
and ambassador, representing our great country abroad. Carl had passed 
away within the last year and it was a tremendous loss again to all of 
us, but Louise Stokes is as much an inspiration and as much a leader in 
the fight for civil rights and justice in our country because of her 
role as mother in the civil rights movement.
  I mentioned that Carlton Goodlett was a leader in the NAACP, and I 
was so pleased to see our former colleague Kweisi Mfume, the president 
of the NAACP now, here in the Chamber this afternoon. He indeed is also 
another answer to the question, who will take Carlton's place.
  As we look around and see our colleagues serving in this House from 
the African-American community, we can be encouraged that the future is 
bright and, as our colleague Mr. Lewis so eloquently said, that you 
will all help to grow our great Nation.
  With that, I once again want to commend Congressman Waters not only 
for calling this special order but for your leadership, most recently 
your speech that you made that was on TV at least three times yesterday 
talking about our budget priorities in our country and providing the 
kind of leadership that we truly will need so that the hope and the 
dream of hope will be kept alive for all Americans, regardless of 
color. Thank you for allowing me to be part of this special order.
  Ms. WATERS. I thank the gentlewoman from California.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee].
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. I thank the gentlewoman from California for 
yielding, and I thank her for her leadership in drawing us together and 
following and lifting up both the par excellence leadership of my 
friend and colleague, the honorable Lou Stokes. I hope he will allow me 
to do so inasmuch as it gives me a boost up in terms of youth, but I 
know he will challenge that, that I had the privilege to be tutored by 
him as a member of the congressional staff of which he was a leader on 
the Select Committee on Assassinations. So a long time I had the 
opportunity to watch this gentle giant move in the U.S. Congress.
  This is a special day, and, Congresswoman Waters, as I indicated, I 
am gratified to join my colleagues for this important occasion to 
commemorate black history, African-American history, to raise it up, 
not only as a history of a people of which I certainly am a part of, 
but to raise it up as a commemoration that should be part of the entire 
United States of America.
  I am honored to have this opportunity to speak to the American public 
during this time that we have set aside to celebrate the enormous 
accomplishments of African-Americans in the United States. I must say 
that 2 minutes do not do justice to the enormous contribution given to 
our Nation by African-Americans, but I am gratified of the kindness of 
the gentlewoman to allow us to spill over.
  I am thrilled to stand here on the floor of the House as an American 
and as an African-American Member of Congress. I am able to stand 
today, Mr. Speaker, because other brave African-


[[Page H426]]

Americans stood boldly before me. That is one of the challenges that I 
offer this afternoon, as the theme becomes a reappraisal to not forget 
from whence we have come, to never forget that no matter what party you 
are in, no matter how you may have thought you have achieved, you could 
not have achieved without the blood and sweat and tears of those who 
marched before us.
  The theme, as I have said, is a reappraisal of the civil rights 
movement. I want to use my time to herald the accomplishments and 
contributions of African-American men and women in all facets of our 
Nation's history.
  I can think of no better time than now to let the American people 
know that it was 126 years ago that the first speech ever delivered by 
an African-American Representative on the floor of the House of 
Representatives was given by Jefferson Franklin Long of Georgia on 
February 1, 1871. He also had the unique distinction of being the first 
black Congressperson elected from Georgia.
  Representative Long probably did not know that in February, 126 years 
later, we would be informing the American people of his name in honor 
of his novel achievement. One can only imagine the pride of this former 
slave as he stood to deliver his speech to his fellow Members of 
Congress. When he stood he spoke for black people all across America. 
How proud they were in this period of reconstruction after the 
Emancipation Proclamation to have someone speak for them.
  The subject of his speech centered on his opposition to an alteration 
of the oath of office for former Confederates who sought to have their 
political rights restored. Congressman Jefferson Franklin Long set the 
stage for African-Americans to take their rightful place here on the 
floor of the House of Representatives, to proclaim to the world their 
concerns for themselves and the good of the American public.
  The voice of Jefferson Franklin Long of Georgia will resound 
throughout this Chamber for as long as this Chamber exists. It will be 
a challenge to each and every one of us to recognize that we must never 
forget from whence we have come. We must always speak for the people 
that we represent, even though it may be a hard and difficult position 
to be in. Those who follow in his footsteps continue the spirit of his 
first breath here on the floor of the House of Representatives. We in 
spirit echo his voice.
  As I take my place here on the floor of the battlefield of democracy 
to debate the pressing issues that affect every American, I am reminded 
of the courage that it took for Congressman Long to be the first 
African-American to speak on this floor. In part it was his courage 
that today gives me courage to speak on the floor today.
  As a female African-American in Congress, I must pause and pay 
tribute to the African-American woman in whose giant footsteps I now 
follow. The Halls of Congress were once graced with the presence of 
Congresswoman Barbara Jordan, who was an African-American woman of many 
firsts: The first Representative of the then newly created 11th State 
Senatorial District in Texas, the first African-American to be elected 
to the Texas Senate since 1883, the first African-American woman ever 
to be elected to the Texas Senate, the first African-American to serve 
as the Speaker pro tem of the Texas Senate, the first African-American 
to serve as Governor for a day in Texas, and the first African-American 
of the then newly created 18th Congressional District.

  As I come to a close, let me point now to the pride that I have in 
the 18th Congressional District, in Houston, and the State of Texas. 
First of all we practice and celebrate Juneteenth. That means that yes, 
we learned of our freedom some 2 years later, but now we have come of 
age and no one bows their head about celebrating Juneteenth. We are 
proud to be able to say we learned our freedom in 1865, but we have 
never, never looked back.
  In keeping with the mind of that spirit, let me salute these 
organizations that have brought about young people and given them the 
self-esteem that allowed them never to forget their history: The Martin 
Luther King Center in the 18th Congressional District; Shake Community 
Center in the 18th Congressional District; the PABA that works with 
young men who, yes, they want to put on a boxing glove and not put a 
knife in their hand; and the NAACP, whose first secretary was Christie 
Adair, a strong and valiant woman; and the Akers Home Citizens Chamber 
of Commerce that brings about individuals in the Akers Home and all 
over the city who are interested in economic development.
  Certainly let me say that the President called us to challenge 
education and to have that to be the clarion call. Here is my 
reappraisal of the civil rights movement as we go forward. It is to 
challenge African-Americans to remember that now we must do a lot of 
this ourselves, not go it alone but do a lot of this ourselves.
  As endowments are being created all over this Nation by the likes of 
Texas A&M, Harvard, and Yale, where are we with supporting our 
educational institutions? I call upon you today to recognize that each 
of us must support our traditionally black colleges. Why not give 
$1,000 a year to some college that you support? Why not recognize that 
in this time of reappraisal we must stand up to the call, we must 
support education, we must ensure that our young people have the 
opportunity. Where are you? I hope you are listening.
  Finally, as I said, I am glad to join Congresswoman Waters to be 
assured that we celebrate black history in a manner that it should be, 
recognition, commemoration, celebration but also a reassessment and an 
acceptance of the challenge that we must stand up to the bar. I come to 
renew my commitment to say that I will not allow institutions to fall, 
I will support them in the future, and certainly most of all I will be 
a supporter of our traditionally black colleges and ask all America to 
support me as well.
   Mr. Speaker, I am honored to have this opportunity to speak to the 
American public during this time that we have set aside to celebrate 
the enormous accomplishments of African-Americans in the United States. 
I must say that 2 minutes do not do justice to the enormous 
contributions given to our Nation by African-Americans.
  I am thrilled to stand here on the House floor as an American and as 
an African-American Member of Congress. I am able to stand today, Mr. 
Speaker, because other brave African-Americans stood boldly before me.
  The theme of this years celebration of black history month is 
African-Americans and Civil Rights: A Reappraisal.
  I want to use my time to herald the accomplishments and contributions 
of African-American men and women in all facets of our Nation's 
history.
  I can think of no better time than now to let the American people 
know that it was 126 years ago, that the first speech ever delivered by 
an African-American Representative on the floor of the House of 
Representatives was given by Jefferson Franklin Long of Georgia on 
February 1, 1871.
  He also had the unique distinction of being the first black 
Congressman elected from Georgia.
  Representative Long probably did not know that in February, 126 years 
later, we would be informing the American people of his name in honor 
of his novel achievement.
  One can only imagine the pride of this former slave as he stood to 
deliver his speech to his fellow Members of Congress. When he stood, he 
spoke for black people all across America.
  The subject of his speech centered on his opposition to an alteration 
of the oath of office for former confederates who sought to have their 
political rights restored.
  Congressman Jefferson Franklin Long set the stage for African-
Americans to take their rightful place here on the floor of the House 
of Representatives to proclaim to the world their concerns for 
themselves and the good of the American public.
  The voice of Jefferson Franklin Long of Georgia will resound 
throughout this Chamber for as long as this Chamber exists. Those who 
follow in his footsteps continue the spirit of his first breath here on 
the floor of the House of Representatives. We, in spirit echo his 
voice.
  As I take my place here on the floor of the battlefield of democracy 
to debate the pressing issues that affect every American, I am reminded 
of the courage that it took for Congressman Long to be the first 
African-American to speak on this floor.
  In part, it was his courage that today, gives me courage to speak on 
the floor today.
  As a female African-American in Congress, I must pause and pay 
tribute to the African-American woman in whose giant footsteps I now 
walk.
  The Halls of Congress were once graced with the presence of 
Congresswoman Barbara Jordan who was an African-American woman of many 
firsts:

[[Page H427]]

  The first Representative of the then newly created 11th State 
Senatorial District in Texas;
  The first African-American to be elected to the Texas State senate 
since 1883;
  The first African-American woman ever to be elected to the Texas 
State senate;
  The first African-American to serve as the Speaker pro tempore of the 
Texas Senate;
  The first African-American to serve as Governor for a day in Texas; 
and
  The first Representative of the then newly created 18th Congressional 
District.
  This month in which we celebrate black history, let us remember the 
awesomeness of those that have come before us and renew our commitment 
to build on their strong foundation on which we stand.
  Ms. WATERS. I thank the gentlewoman from Texas. I yield to the 
gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Jackson].
  Mr. JACKSON of Illinois. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me this 
time, in light of the reality that this special order will shortly be 
coming to an end and with the knowledge that before this month will 
have concluded, I will have had three special orders through which I 
will specifically address issues of concern to black history.
  While there are those of us who would suggest that the civil rights 
movement, and it was a crucible in our history, our history in this 
Nation dating from 1619, and every facet of American life during these 
special orders will be explored.

                              {time}  1615

  The first of these special orders, Mr. Speaker, will be this coming 
Thursday, and it will be an indepth look at our criminal justice system 
and the role which African-Americans have played. I have entitled this 
particular special order O.J. and Race Entertainment. But I want to 
take just a minute or so, and a minute is about all that I will need, 
to pay homage to a particular Member of Congress who finds himself 
sitting in the House Chamber on this occasion.
  I was born, as a matter of African-American history, on March 11, 
1965. On March 7, 1965, in our history it is known as bloody Sunday. It 
is the Sunday that the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Lewis], Martin 
Luther King, Jr., and Jesse Jackson and many others in our history 
walked across the Edmond Pettis Bridge for the right to vote. Because 
of the struggle that they engaged in in 1965, I now stand here as the 
91st African-American to ever have the privilege of serving in the U.S. 
Congress. The gentlewoman from California [Ms. Millender-McDonald] has 
the privilege of being the 92d, and the gentleman from Maryland [Mr. 
Cummings], the 93d.
  Because of a struggle that our foreparents engaged in, it made it 
possible for us to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives to 
represent disenfranchised and locked-out groups, whether they are 
African-American or whether they are white or Asian-American or Anglo-
American. So, while we will reflect upon the contribution of those who 
have come before us to make it possible for us to serve, each and every 
one of us as African-Americans in this institution.
  Mr. Speaker, as women in this institution, as Asian-Americans and 
Latino-Americans in this institution, we owe a tremendous debt of 
gratitude to the gentleman from Georgia [Mr. Lewis] and others who made 
it possible for us to serve.
  And so these are some of the contexts that we will place over the 
course of this month as we look at our history and as we look at the 
racial debate in our country, as we move from O.J. Simpson to race 
entertainment and what race entertainment has really done and taken us 
off of the course of civil rights and fairness for all Americans. I am 
particularly honored on this occasion to thank Congressman Lewis for 
making it possible for me to serve in the U.S. House of 
Representatives.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Oregon [Ms. 
Furse].
  Ms. FURSE. You know, as a former South African, I have seen great 
history made, history made by people who refuse to bow down to the 
horrors of apartheid, and with many of my colleagues in 1994 in 
Pretoria, South Africa, we saw the wonder of President Mandela taking 
the oath of office of President of South Africa; finally, a just South 
Africa.
  Mr. Speaker, history is made by people, by individual people, black 
history is made by black people, black individuals, and I want to speak 
today of one of those individuals who makes history every day in my 
community. Her name is Ruby Haughton. Ruby was the first African-
American to be named vice president of a large bank in Oregon, the U.S. 
Bank. This position would be consuming enough to fill any life, but for 
Ruby it is just a start. She is a national figure in the fight against 
diabetes. Her passion for a cure and better treatment for this 
devastating disease is fueled by her love and admiration for her mother 
who suffers from diabetes. I understand that passion, as my beloved 
daughter Amanda suffers with diabetes.
  Ruby Haughton has been named to the prestigious National Institutes 
of Health, the board that oversees grants for diabetes research. She 
chairs the cultural diversity committee of the American Diabetes 
Association. Ruby is a member of the Urban League of Portland, the 
NAACP Portland branch and serves on the United Negro College Fund 
advisory board of directors.
  Ruby Haughton is a role model. Her two sons have been guided by her 
passion for justice, community service, and personal responsibility. 
But Ruby's influence must not just touch those who know her, she is far 
too valuable. She deserves to be recognized for her accomplishments so 
that all, all of our sons and daughters, can learn from her dedication. 
She is talented, beautiful, humorous, deeply spiritual, unyielding in 
her commitment to public service, and unlike so many who are quick to 
criticize, to judge others, Ruby has neither the time nor the interest 
in pointing her finger at people. She is too busy extending her hand to 
help them.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor for me to count myself as a friend of 
this great lady.
  Ms. WATERS. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Oregon. I yield 
to the gentlewoman from Florida [Mrs. Meek].
  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. To my esteemed chairwoman and to my good 
colleague, the gentleman from Ohio [Mr. Stokes], we owe both of you a 
debt of gratitude for giving us this opportunity. I want to thank you, 
and I want to thank everyone in this great country of ours, especially 
black Americans who helped to build this country and are now waiting 
and hoping that justice and freedom will come to everyone.
  Certainly the history of people of African descent is interwoven, Mr. 
Speaker, with the history of America. Since the first Americans arrived 
on what is now American soil, black Americans have played an important 
part in the development of this great Nation.
  I want to limit my remarks this afternoon to selective passages from 
historic speeches from black Americans, and I have chosen quite a few. 
I will mention them to you, but because of time constraints I will only 
quote two or three of them.
  First is a Congressman, Robert B. Elliott, who came to this Congress, 
Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm, Frederick Douglass, Malcolm X, and the 
Reverend Jesse Jackson. They are some of my heroes; I have many of 
them, but they are included, and I want to, as I stand here this 
afternoon, think about Congressman Robert Elliott. He was one of the 22 
African-Americans to serve in Congress during Reconstruction.

  His last term in Congress was highlighted by his eloquent support of 
a civil rights bill designed to secure equality for and prohibit 
discrimination against African-Americans in all public places. This is 
what Congressman Elliott said, and I can imagine that each of us could 
perhaps give this speech now, and I quote him:

       I regret at this day it is necessary that I should rise in 
     the presence of an American Congress to advocate a bill which 
     simply asserts equal rights and equal public privileges for 
     all classes of American citizens. I regret, sir, that the 
     dark hue of my skin may lend a color to the imputation that I 
     am controlled by motives personal to myself in my advocacy of 
     this great measure of national justice. Sir, the motive that 
     impels me is restricted by no such narrow boundary but is as 
     broad as your Constitution. I advocate it because it is 
     right. The bill, however, not only appeals to your sense of 
     justice, but it demands a sense of response from your 
     attitude.

  In the end, after a long and very passionate speech, Congressman 
Elliott's bill was defeated, but he stands in my

[[Page H428]]

memory today as fighting the same fight that we are trying to fight 
here.
  And I mention Shirley Chisholm. You know her very well. She is still 
alive. Those of you who are as old as I am call her ``Fighting 
Shirley,'' but now she is in Florida. She worked very hard for Head 
Start. Well, Shirley Chisholm was a great heroine, and she still is. I 
will not quote from any of her speeches because of time constraints, 
but I do want you to know that Congresswoman Chisholm went on to really 
chastise the Congress to say, it was Calvin Coolidge, I believe, who 
said that the business of America is business, and she went on to sort 
of challenge them for spending so much money on things that certainly 
were not for the benefit of the social significance of black Americans.
  And of course I choose Frederick Douglass as well. Most of you know 
the work of Frederick Douglass who was an abolitionist, but he 
contributed a lot because he was very active politically in the fight 
for justice in America. A very intelligent man, he called upon America 
to make the Constitution its mandate in making its righteous laws. And 
Frederick Douglass said:

       If liberty, with us, is yet but a name, our citizenship is 
     but a sham, and our suffrage thus far only a cruel mockery, 
     we may yet congratulate ourselves upon the fact, that the 
     laws and institutions of the country are sound, just and 
     liberal. There is hope for a people when their laws are 
     righteous.

  Frederick Douglass went on to say:

       Who would be free, themselves must strike the blow.
       That is why we are all here today. We do not believe, as we 
     are often told, that we are the ugly child of a national 
     family, and the more we are kept out of sight the better it 
     will be. You know that liberty given is never as precious as 
     liberty fought.

  My next hero is Malcolm X. It is shown Malcolm was another great 
black voice. He was a strong leader with a very revolutionary cause, 
and in his December 31, 1964, speech to a delegation of Mississippi 
youth Malcolm encouraged these young African-Americans to think for 
themselves, to recognize their enemies, and to be assured that they 
were not standing alone.
  And Brother Malcolm said, one of the first things I think young 
people, especially nowadays, should learn is how to see for yourself 
and listen for yourself and think for yourself. And he went on with 
this elegance to the end of a farewell and constructive speech.
  My last hero as I move along, and I am not forgetting Martin Luther 
King or any of the greats, but I choose Rev. Jesse Jackson. I am a 
great advocate and a great lover of Rev. Jesse Jackson because he is a 
world famous Baptist minister, civil rights activist, and political 
leader. I followed him from his first time in politics as he ran for 
the President of this country. Reverend Jackson said:

       We must continue to dream, but the dream of 1963 must be 
     expanded to meet the realities of these times.

  Incidentally, the Reverend Jackson told me that our chairwoman, the 
gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters], had a lot of input in his 
speech for that particular convention.
  We must dream new dreams, according to Jesse, expand the horizons of 
our dreams and remove any ceiling or barrier that would limit our 
legitimate aspirations. Democracy at its best provides a floor for 
everyone but imposes limits upon no one. The sky is the limit. Let us 
continue to dream.
  Reverend Jackson went on to say, 20 years ago we came to this 
hallowed ground of the Lincoln Memorial as a rainbow coalition to 
demand our freedom. Twenty years later, we have our freedom, our civil 
rights. On our way to Washington today we did not have to stop at a 
friend's house or a church to eat or use the bathroom. Apartheid is 
over. But 20 years later, we still do not have equality. We have moved 
in. Now we must move up.
  I was fortunate enough to have participated with Reverend Jackson at 
that time.
  Twenty years ago, he said, we were stripped of our dignity. Twenty 
years later we are stripped of our share of power. The absence of 
segregation is not the presence of social justice or equality.
  And that is the end of Reverend Jackson's quote.
  I am privileged to be here to thank you and Mr. Stokes for holding 
this special order so we can share with America the richness of our 
heritage and the richness of our history.
  Ms. WATERS. I thank the gentlewoman from Florida.
  Mr. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, this year as we observe Black 
History Month we should reflect on the all-out attack that has occurred 
on civil rights, voting rights, and affirmative action programs. We 
need to renew our commitment to progress on these political fronts. We 
have witnessed the Hopwood case in Texas, the attack on affirmative 
action, as well as a number of majority-minority districts being found 
unconstitutional and ordered to be redrawn by State legislatures. This 
happened in my district, the Third Congressional District of Florida, 
as well as districts represented by Representative Sanford Bishop, 
Representative Cynthia McKinney, Representative Eva Clayton, 
Representative Melvin Watt, and just late last week Representative 
Bobby Scott, Representative Sheila Jackson-Lee, and Representative 
Eddie Bernice Johnson. To say the least, the past 2 years have indeed 
been hostile.
  I, and others, would not have the privilege of serving in Washington 
today, if it were not for the courage and sacrifice of those great 
leaders who led the way. The progress we, as a race, have made could 
not have occurred without the groundwork having been laid by great 
African-Americans like former Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, 
educator Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, tennis great Arthur Ashe, poet Zora 
Neale Hurston, Gwen Cherry, Mary Singleton, and James Weldon Johnson, 
composer of the Negro National Anthem.
  Let me share with you a little information about Florida's first 
Member of Congress. In 1879, Josiah Wells was first elected to the U.S. 
House of Representatives from Gainesville, but his election was 
challenged and he lost his seat after only 2 months in office. However, 
by that time, he had already been reelected to a new term. Believe it 
or not, his next term was challenged after ballots were burned in a 
courthouse fire. And, thus ended the congressional career of Florida's 
first black Representative.
  Once Reconstruction began, 21 black Congressmen were elected in the 
South between 1870 and 1901. Following 1901, Jim Crow tightened his 
grip and it took over for 70 years before another black person would be 
elected to Congress in the South.
  For the first 100 years of American's history, African-Americans did 
not have the right to vote because they were enslaved. Eventually the 
Constitution was amended to change the status of blacks from three-
fifths of a person to a whole person. Following the Civil War, 
some African-Americans were able to exercise their right to vote but 
this lasted for only a brief time. After Reconstruction, things 
actually worsened and Jim Crow ruled the South. The civil rights 
movement exploded because African-Americans were fed up with living as 
second-class citizens in America, ``home of democracy.''

  Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and numerous others, sacrificed their 
lives to have the Voting Rights Act passed into law in 1965. It has, 
however, taken almost 30 years to implement in the South. The initial 
reason majority-minority districts were redrawn was because of a long 
history of violations of the Voting Rights Act.
  Following the 1996 congressional elections, many journalists reported 
that the fact that myself, Cynthia McKinney, Eva Clayton, Melvin Watt, 
Eddie Bernice Johnson, and Sanford Bishop won reelection proved that 
blacks no longer needed majority-minority districts to be elected to 
Congress. Therefore, as majority-minority districts continue to be 
challenged, it is important that we not lose sight of the fact that had 
it not been for the creation of majority-minority districts through 
voting rights remedies, it is very likely that many Members of the 
freshman class of 1992 would not have been elected. Keep in mind it 
took 120 years before Florida elected another African-American to 
Congress.
  As African-Americans continue to make progress in education, 
business, and government, there will continue to be attacks. It is 
important that we continue to press ahead because there are still 
people who would like to turn back the hands of time and return 
African-Americans to the back of the political bus. Congress now more 
closely resembles America than it has in the past.
  Furthermore, it is important that African-Americans continue to fight 
for their right to vote for a candidate of their choice, civil rights, 
and for affirmative action programs that help promote diversity in the 
workplace. It is important that we continue to support affirmative 
action programs because they give qualified minorities and women the 
opportunity to work in professions they, historically, had not been 
represented in. While we have made gains, there is still a long way to 
go.
  As we approach the new millennium, it is crucial that young African-
American children are prepared and able to walk across that bridge to 
the 21st century.

[[Page H429]]

  Mr. COYNE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great enthusiasm to join in 
this special order to observe and celebrate Black History Month. Black 
History Month provides Americans with an important opportunity to 
educate ourselves and our children about the many important 
contributions that African-Americans have made to our country. The 
annual observation of Black History Month should also remind us that 
the legacy of America's greatest tragedy--more than 300 years of 
slavery and the racial discrimination that was used to justify it--
remains with us and must continue to be addressed.
  I want to thank Representatives Louis Stokes and Maxine Waters for 
organizing this special order today. This special order has become an 
annual event. It allows Members of Congress to pay tribute to the many 
African-Americans who have had prominent roles in our country's 
history. It allows us to recognize, understand, and appreciate the 
unique nature of the African-American experience in our history. And it 
allows us to celebrate African-American accomplishments in the arts, 
sciences, education, business, and politics that have made our country 
immeasurably richer and more diverse.
  Black History Month was the creation of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a 
noted African-American historian and educator. Dr. Woodson established 
the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History in 1915 
to encourage greater appreciation for the many contributions that 
African-Americans have made to this country. Dr. Woodson subsequently 
created Negro History Week as a vehicle for advancing this goal, and 
this event, which has evolved into Black History Month, has been 
observed annually since its inception in 1926. Each year the 
Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History selects a 
common issue or theme for consideration during Black History Month.
  This year, the association has chosen ``African Americans and Civil 
Rights: A Reappraisal'' as its theme. I think that the association has 
chosen a most timely and important topic. The history of the United 
States can perhaps best be interpreted as the history of a people's 
long and often painful struggle to provide the greatest possible 
experience of civil rights to the largest majority of its citizens. In 
our pursuit of a more perfect union, we have repeatedly had to broaden 
the eligibility for membership in that union and to define more 
perfectly the rights that accrue to its members. A serious reappraisal 
of our current civil rights policies requires that we look at where we 
started and how far we have come as well as what we may need to do in 
the future. I will attempt to provide my own evaluation of the civil 
rights struggle here today.
  While the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill 
of Rights represented a remarkable advance in democratic self-
government--the likes of which the world had never seen before--the 
society that the early Republic erected around them had a number of 
major shortcomings. The most glaring and horrifying of these 
shortcomings was of course slavery.
  The next major expansion in civil rights came as a result of the 
Civil War--slavery was abolished by the 13th amendment, and the 14th 
amendment to the Constitution was ratified in an attempt to guarantee 
African-Americans the rights of full citizenship. These constitutional 
changes, significant and well-intentioned though they were, failed in 
the end to deliver on their promote of equal rights for all Americans. 
Despite the temporary gains achieved during the Reconstruction period, 
African-Americans continued to suffer the ill effects of 
discrimination, segregation, political disenfranchisement, and--in many 
parts of the country--outright violence. African-Americans were 
consistently and systematically denied their civil rights for another 
100 years after the abolition of slavery.
  World War II marked the beginning of the modern struggle to deliver 
on the promise of equal rights for African-Americans. In the Civil War, 
African-Americans had served in large numbers in the Union Army in 
order to prove their merit and buttress their demands for equality. 
After some initial and temporary successes, their hopes were dashed. 
Eighty years later, their descendants still faced discrimination and 
segregation in the Armed Forces as the United States fought to preserve 
our own imperfect freedom. Conscious of this glaring inconsistency, the 
Pentagon began desegregating the military on a trial basis during the 
war, and President Truman ordered that the Armed Forces be desegregated 
in 1948.
  After the war, the NAACP began an effort to expand civil rights for 
African-Americans through a series of court challenges. This strategy 
proved extremely successful in expanding educational and residential 
opportunities for African-Americans. At the same time, African-
Americans brought their civil rights struggle to the attention of the 
rest of America by directly confronting many of the existing Jim Crow 
laws. African-American leaders contrasted the accomplishments of 
African-American servicemen during the war with the discrimination that 
they still faced at home. Other brave African-Americans risked arrest, 
imprisonment, and physical violence to challenge such laws. Rosa Parks 
refusal to abide by such laws in 1955 led to the Montgomery, AL, bus 
boycott--the first mass protest by blacks in the South. In subsequent 
years, sit-ins, boycotts, and freedom rides provided important tools 
for illustrating the need for new civil rights laws.
  As the civil rights movement grew and became more successful in the 
early 1960's, many white Americans began to reconsider their own 
attitudes about race. Many concluded that Federal action was necessary. 
As a result of the civil rights movement--and after lengthy and often 
acrimonious debate--Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which 
prohibited racial discrimination and called for equal opportunity in 
employment and education, and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which 
banned poll taxes and provided Federal supervision of voter 
registration and elections in places where African-Americans had 
previously been denied the right to vote. In 1968, Congress passed the 
Fair Housing Act at the President's request. This legislation 
prohibited racial discrimination in the sale and rental of housing. 
These three bills effectively abolished most State and local laws that 
supported discrimination and segregation.
  The experience of these previous generations, however, has affected 
the current generation as well-decades of discrimination have left many 
African-Americans today convinced that many opportunities are still 
denied to them. This perception is not without justification. The long 
history of racial discrimination in this country has also produced a 
situation today where many African-Americans start life with fewer 
resources and further to go than many equally capable white Americans. 
It seems inconceivable to me that we could step back today and say 
seriously say that racism and discrimination have been eliminated from 
our society. While the legal foundation of discrimination and 
segregation has been obliterated, racism and discrimination--as well as 
the legacy of generations of racism and discrimination--are still 
pervasive in our society. African-Americans still face civil rights 
problems like discrimination, police abuse, and an unreliable system of 
justice. Consequently, the civil rights struggle must go on. And we 
still need affirmative action. I thank Representatives Stokes and 
Waters and the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and 
History for providing us with a forum and a stimulus for discussing 
this painful but important issue.
  Mr. DELAHUNT. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join with my colleagues in 
this special order celebrating Black History Month. It is truly a 
magnificent history--an heroic history if you will. I thought I would 
take this opportunity to say a few words about a remarkable chapter in 
that history which is being retrieved and returned to us by a dedicated 
band of preservationists in Massachusetts.
  That chapter concerns the African Meeting House of Nantucket--once a 
church, a meeting hall and a school for children prevented from 
attending public school because of their race.
  The one-room meeting house was built in the 1820's, and is one of the 
oldest standing structures of its kind in the United States. It 
embodies a rich history. When the meeting house was built, Nantucket 
was a center of a whaling industry in which blacks played an integral 
part. Among the whaling ships that set sail from the island was the 
Industry, with a black captain named Absalom Boston and an all-black 
crew. Absalom Boston later became one of the four trustees of the 
African Baptist Church which was to become known as the African Meeting 
House.
  Absalom Boston's grandfather was a slave name Prince Boston, who took 
a whaling voyage in 1770. At the end of the voyage, Prince Boston's 
white master demanded that he turn over his earnings. With the help of 
a white shipmate, Prince Boston went to court and won his earnings and 
his freedom, became the first slave set free by a jury verdict. That 
year, Nantucket freed its slaves, 13 years before the rest of 
Massachusetts followed suit.
  In 1845, the daughter of one of the founders of the meeting house 
went to court to demand admission to the public high school, and the 
next year Nantucket became one of the first districts in the country to 
desegrate its schools. With its strong Quaker tradition, the island 
became a stronghold of abolitionist sentiment. It was there that 
Frederick Douglass delivered his first public address before a mixed-
race audience.
  Once the public schools had been integrated, the meeting house ceased 
to operate as a school, but continued to function as a vital 
institution in the community. In 1910 the meeting house was sold to the 
owner of a trucking business and eventually it fell into disrepair. 
Now, thanks to the efforts of the Friends of the African Meeting House 
and the Museum of Afro American History, this extraordinary landmark is 
due to open to the

[[Page H430]]

public in 1998. I can think of no more fitting commemoration of Black 
History Month, and I commend all of those who have brought this project 
to fruition. I yield back my time.
  Mrs. KENNELLY of Connecticut. Mr. Speaker, one of our great blessings 
as a nation is our extraordinary cultural diversity. This varied 
heritage makes the mosaic of American life one of unparalleled richness 
and beauty. And a key part of that mosaic is our African-American 
heritage, which we honor and celebrate each February during Black 
History Month.
  No area of American accomplishment or achievement has remained 
untouched by African-Americans. Educators like Johnetta Cole open 
minds. Entrepreneurs like Earl Graves create successful businesses. 
Jurists like Leon Higginbotham protect our rights. And astronauts like 
Mae Jemison explore the very nature of our universe.
  Thie year, Black History Month's theme is ``African Americans and 
Civil Rights--A Reappraisal.'' Today, as our Nation struggles to 
redefine its commitment to affirmative action and to ensure that all 
Americans enjoy equal opportunity, we have the chance to reflect on how 
far we have come and to judge how far we have yet to go. But even as we 
honor those whose courage and leadership in the cause of equal rights 
made their names familiar to every American, we should also recognize 
those who may not be as well known, but who nonetheless have served 
well.
  Such a man was John Stewart, Sr., who was active in the civil rights 
movement in my own city of Hartford, CT, beginning in the 1920's. He 
was an original member of the Hartford Independent Political Club, 
founded in 1928 to advance the political interests of Hartford's 
African-American community. In the 1950's, he founded the Citizens 
Community of the North End. In the late 1960's, he became active in 
High Noon, a group that reached out from the African-American community 
to other civic and business organizations. Through it all, he worked 
with the NAACP and the Urban League. This grandson of a slave lived to 
see his son become majority leader of the Hartford City Council and the 
city's first African-American fire chief.
  But remarkable as he is, he is just one of many extraordinarily 
talented individuals who worked in the early days of the civil rights 
struggle in Connecticut. Collin Bennett, entrepreneur and minister, was 
the first Caribbean American to be elected to the Hartford City 
Council. At the University of Connecticut, law professor John Brittain 
has become a national expert on civil rights law. The late State 
senator Wilber Smith was an eloquent champion of equality and justice 
who helped Connecticut become the first State to adopt enterprise zone 
legislation for urban centers. Arthur Johnson, the first executive 
director of Hartford's Human Relations Commission, presently serves on 
the Hartford Inquirer's editorial page, his social commentary as 
insightful as ever. The late Isabelle Blake, a longtime proponent of 
elementary education and welfare rights, was one of the founders of the 
Connecticut African-American Day parade. And Elizabeth Horton Sheff, a 
former member of the Hartford City Council, continues to blaze trails: 
along with her son Milo, she is leading the quest for equal educational 
opportunity and better schools for Connecticut students.
  Mr. Speaker, American history contains few chapters as inspiring and 
uplifting as our Nation's struggle to achieve full civil rights for its 
African-American citizens. The pioneers of the civil rights movement 
led all of us not only to a more just society, but also to a better 
understanding of what America was truly intended to be. The enormous 
debt we owe them should be remembered, not only during Black History 
Month, but throughout the year. And the best way to honor them is to 
continue their struggle. Thank you very much.
  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, in honor of National Black History Month, I 
rise today to pay special tribute to the African-American people, both 
past and present, who have made American a better place to live. it is 
because of their tremendous sacrifice and faith, as well as their 
educational, economical, and social contributions, that helped make the 
United States of America the leader of the world.
  Our Nation owes its African-American citizen a debt it can never 
repay. During the Revolutionary War, African-American patriots fought 
and died defending the civil rights described in the U.S. Constitution 
before they were allowed to enjoy these rights themselves. In every war 
since then, African-American people have fought and died with the 
utmost valor and courage, yet without equal protection under the law. 
The segregation of U.S. military troops is just one example in a long 
line of injustices perpetrated against African-Americans in our 
Nation's history.
  Our country learned invaluable lessons from the African-American 
people who led the civil rights movement in the 1950's and 1960's to 
eliminate racial barriers. As a schoolteacher, I will never forget 
hearing Thurgood Marshall speak after the winning the Brown versus 
Board of Education Supreme Court decision which declared separate but 
equal was unconstitutional. His work helped open up our schools so 
children of all races can learn and grow up together. And I was never 
so proud than seeing Ms. Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on 
that bus in Montgomery, AL. Or watching James Meredith's courageous 
efforts in desegregating the University of Mississippi.
  Every day I try to live by the principles set forth by one of the 
greatest leaders in history, Martin Luther King, Jr. His teachings of 
tolerance and nonviolence profoundly changed America. It was the 
contributions of these great African-Americans, and millions of others, 
that made out country realize that we can be a better nation and that 
we must work to end racial bigotry.
  As a member of the Michigan State Legislature, I introduced the very 
first Open Housing Act which outlawed housing discrimination in 
Michigan. In my 32 years in public office, I have consistently voted in 
favor of civil rights legislation because I believe out country must 
grant every person an equal chance to succeed in America. And while we 
have made significant progress in eliminating racial discrimination in 
our country, there is no question we still have a ways to go. During 
this month of observance of Black History Month, let us rededicate 
ourselves to eliminating discrimination against all people so our 
country can reach its full potential, and America can truly be the 
beacon of light for the world.
  Mr. WYNN Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the history and culture of 
African-American people this month, let us pauses to pay tribute to 
someone to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for the ``first'' he 
provided us. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's 
integration of major league baseball. He was the first African-American 
allowed to play on a major league team--the Brooklyn Dodgers--with 
white athletes. A Pasadena, CA, native, he effectively paved the way 
for African-Americans to be active participants in professional sports.
  More importantly, his actions on and off the baseball diamond have 
served as an example for confronting racial hypocrisy in this country 
and beyond. The dignity with which he handled racism among his 
teammates, fans, hotels, and restaurants stirred the conscience of 
America and held people accountable for their actions. Beyond 
establishing the black man's right to play baseball, he transcended 
racial barriers and proved that mutual respect is an essential element 
of sportsmanship. He was not only an athlete, but a person that truly 
earned the title of role model. His name continues to live on through 
the Jackie Robinson Foundation, established by Rachael Robinson in 1973 
for the purpose of developing the leadership potential of minority and 
urban youth.
  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
recognition of Black History Month.
  Since 1976, Americans have celebrated, in the month of February, the 
accomplishments and heritage of African-Americans. Brought here as 
slaves, shackled, and beaten, African-Americans now represent 12 
percent of the U.S. population, approximately 30 million. Despite many 
obstacles and hurdles, this large group has made significant 
achievements in the building and shaping of America.
  Most African-Americans have on their list of movers and shakers 
Crispus Attucks, the first man to die in the Boston Massacre of 1770; 
Harriet Tubman, the leader of the Underground Railroad; Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr., a drum major for justice; and Rosa Parks, the mother 
of the civil rights movement. And, the list goes on.
  But, if we stop and reflect on where we have gone since the marches 
and sit-ins and boycotts of the 1960's, have we really gone far?
  Despite African-American contributions to society, African-Americans 
are still not fully recognized for their worth and potential to this 
Nation. This is ironically portrayed by the title ``Black History 
Month,'' the time set aside to learn the history of a people. One month 
cannot capture the infinite historical treasures that African-Americans 
have embedded into the fabric of this society. A more appropriate title 
would be ``Black Emphasis Month'' symbolizing that black history should 
not be a separate course taught only in February. Rather, we should 
make daily efforts to correct the history that is taught to our 
children. Our children deserve to know that their forefathers and 
foremothers had the creative minds and intellect to make important 
contributions to this society that we may sometimes take for granted, 
such as the inventions of the light bulb filament and the traffic 
light.
  Importantly, we should use this month as a time to reflect not only 
on recognizing the contributions of African-Americans to the American 
society, but we must also think of February as a month in which we 
ponder the travesties suffered by an entire race of people.
  The battles are not over. Hopwood versus Texas was a blow to many 
individuals hoping

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to further their educations. This decision, which rendered admission 
criteria which take race into account unconstitutional, shattered the 
hopes and dreams of would-be legislators, attorneys, and teachers.
  To be sure, the decision did not raise standards; the intellectual 
capacity is ever-present. Rather, it took away the incentive, that 
extra push needed by someone that may be from a broken home or a first-
generation college student. This measure tried to kill the aspirations 
of our Nation's youths. Affirmative action gives those less fortunate 
than others the initial opportunity to prove themselves--nothing more, 
nothing less. We will not need race-based criteria once we have the 
initial opportunity.
  In 1996, the Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, struck 
another blow to minority voters. Bush versus Vera, which declared 
unconstitutional congressional redistricting plans that gave black and 
Hispanic voters more clout was a setback because it could ultimately 
mean that those constituents may have a harder time gaining 
representation in Congress. Rising to the challenges they faced, many 
U.S. Representatives, including myself, were not defeated.
  However, you must take note that we won reelection because we first 
had the chance to serve. Affirmative action is that opportunity. 
Affirmative action is what is needed to first prove yourself. It is 
needed as a corrective action to change disparities from the past. When 
such corrective action is taken away, we may not have any more initial 
opportunities for success. We got the message out to our constituents, 
and I want to get the message to you today, to see that now more than 
ever it is a time to stand up for what so many others have died for--
our freedom, our rights.
  In light of these abhorrent things that are going on today, we must 
reevaluate, reappraise our civil rights gains. Glass ceilings are not 
being removed. Affirmative action is being challenged from every angle. 
We have the opportunity to use these stumbling blocks and make them 
stepping stones. But we must be active in order to be instrumental in 
this struggle.
  What underground railroad are you leading? Are you a drum major for 
justice, for peace, for equality? We must look the grim facts in the 
face. We must not be passive. We must stand up and take charge of our 
own destinies and take someone else with us. Then, and only then, can 
we, as a people rise up and fight the injustices that have plagued our 
people since we stepped foot on American soil.
  Mrs. CARSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from 
Ohio [Mr. Stokes] and the gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters] and 
the other members of the Congressional Black Caucus for allowing me 
this opportunity.
  In celebration of Black History Month, there are literally hundreds 
of individuals from the past that could be remembered for their 
achievements for African-Americans. The one I would like to remember 
today was once a member of this auspicious body, and her work in this 
Chamber will be remembered throughout history for its honesty and 
integrity.
  Barbara Jordan has often been described as having ``the voice of 
God,'' one which could shake the rafters if necessary, and one which 
always weaved a sense of urgency through an audience. Yet Ms. Jordan's 
legacy lies far beyond her oratorical skills. Her reputation will be 
one of a role-model for her devotion to public service, her unabashed 
faith in the Constitution, and her ethical fortitude which is all too 
rare in today's political climate.
  In the summer of 1974, our democracy faced its greatest test, and our 
Constitution its greatest challenge. As the House Judiciary Committee 
considered the fate of President Nixon during the Watergate hearings, 
it was a young African-American woman from Houston, TX, that pointed 
the way through the fog of the time to the correct path to pursue. 
Representative Jordan stated in plain language that no one, not even 
the President, was above the law of the land. Her faith in the 
Constitution, she said, remained strong despite the fact the Founding 
Fathers did not originally include her in their definition of ``we the 
people.'' Subsequently, during one of our Nation's darkest hours, Ms. 
Jordan helped restore our faith in the foundations of democracy and 
carried us forward to form a more perfect union.
  Following her service in Congress, Ms. Jordan began a second tier of 
public service by teaching public affairs at the University of Texas. 
Despite the fact that her body was crippled by multiple sclerosis, her 
spirit and her mind grew stronger. For over a decade, she taught 
students at the University of Texas a class on ethics which demanded 
students search their souls for the answers to tough dilemmas. Ms. 
Jordan's class was extremely popular despite the difficult reputation 
it gained, requiring a lottery each semester to select the handful of 
students to have the honor of taking Ms. Jordan's class. Thus, Ms. 
Jordan carried on the task of teaching the lessons of citizenship to 
another generation, and preparing our young people to carry out the 
tasks so vital to our democracy.
  Barbara Jordan passed away a little over a year ago. Her reputation 
will precede her for years to come. It is important to remember Ms. 
Jordan today and always as not only a great African-American, but as 
one of the central figures in American history in the late 20th 
century. As we took towards the next millennium, with the need for 
racial harmony and the collective healing of our wounds as tantamount 
as ever, it is imperative that we look towards the example Barbara 
Jordan set for all of us. Her standards may have been high on the bar, 
but they were nonetheless the measuring stick we should all aspire to 
reach. She defined what it means to be an American for many of us, and 
her accomplishments will not soon be forgotten.
  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I take great pride in this 
opportunity to join the Congressional Black Caucus and other Members of 
this body to pay tribute to African-Americans who have contributed 
enormously to this great Nation. I, too, want to thank the gentleman 
from Ohio, Mr. Stokes, and Representative Maxine Waters, chairperson of 
the Congressional Black Caucus for their efforts in organizing this 
special order.
  As we celebrate Black History Month, we must remember the origins of 
this celebration, as it dates back to 1926. It was then, that Dr. 
Carter G. Woodson, a noted historian, and author, initiated the 
observance of ``Negro History Week.''
  Each February, Dr. Woodson, whose own contributions were inestimable, 
advocated setting aside a week to honor the achievements of African-
Americans. The lives of black Americans have improved since the 1950's, 
and, indeed, there is no doubt that relations between blacks and whites 
have improved. However, segregation, poverty, discrimination in jobs, 
housing, and many related problems continue to persist, and continue to 
erode the so-called American dream.
  Today, we celebrate an America that is more culturally enriched, 
intellectually developed, and technologically advanced because of the 
contributions of African-Americans. However, as the 20th century nears 
it close, there is still widespread ignorance about African-Americans 
and our contributions to this society.
  Of the 40 African-Americans elected to Congress this year, many came 
from districts supported by black voters. However, the districts were 
ruled unconstitutional if race was the predominant factor in designing 
them. But, a 90-percent white congressional district in Texas is ruled 
constitutional, whereas, a 5-percent black Texas district that sent the 
late Barbara Jordan to Congress is ruled unconstitutional.
  Imagine what kind of effect these and other related issues have on 
the life and mind of a young African-American who knows less about hope 
and faith than I do.
  Mr. Speaker, the acceptance by some Americans of Dr. King's message--
that men should not be judged by the color of their skin but by the 
content of their character has made it possible for blacks to gain 
considerable influence in various fields.
  For example, in politics, blacks now serve in unprecedented numbers 
in elected and appointed positions in Federal, State, and local 
government, including this great body. We have won recognition in such 
art forms as literature, film, and theater. We have received some of 
entertainment's highest awards, including the Oscar, the Tony and 
Golden Globe honors. We have reached the highest levels in professional 
sports such as basketball, boxing, tennis, football, and track and 
field. And, in music, we have made significant influence by creating 
new musical categories and delighting audiences at home and abroad.
  These accomplishments are all good news. But they are still not 
enough.
  As we continue to debate affirmative action policies, we realize that 
the struggle to ensure equal opportunity for African-Americans 
continues. The real issue is civil rights--civil rights that redeem our 
fundamental American sense of hope and rights that affirm our basic 
values and aspirations as a Nation.
  African-Americans continue to have an uphill struggle. However, it is 
my hope that this Nation would heed the words of the late Justice 
Thurgood Marshall who said: ``We will only attain freedom if we learn 
to appreciate what is different, and muster the courage to discover 
what is fundamentally the same.''
  Today, I call on this society to give the ordinary people of this 
great Nation an equal opportunity, a quality education, and a fair shot 
at the American dream. Let history record that we in our time faced our 
challenges remembering who we are and believing that we are more than 
our brother's keeper.
  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to participate today in this 
special order to commemorate Black History Month. As we celebrate the 
great contributions of African-Americans throughout the history of our 
country, we can look to the civil rights movement

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of the 1960's as a pivotal time when what ``was'' and what ``could be'' 
were brought into striking relief through sometimes violent conflict.
  The civil rights movement was a period of enormous growth for our 
country. As a nation we were forced, by great African-American leaders, 
such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and others, to examine 
ourselves and confront the forces of hate and ignorance that were 
cleaving our society. That tumultuous period is now behind us, and many 
great things have happened as a result of that struggle. The African-
American community was strengthened, and as it was, so was the entire 
Nation.
  As we face the present, and look ahead to the future, however, some 
stark realities exist. The fact remains that much still needs to be 
accomplished before true equality and racial harmony is a fact of life 
in this country. Now, more than ever, we need strong African-American 
leadership. We must have African-American activists, who, like the 
leaders of the civil rights movement, are able to take action and 
inspire.
  One such activist-leader lives in Indiana's First Congressional 
District. Mr. James Piggee has been a teacher and coach in the Gary, 
IN, school system for 30 years, and his activism is unique in that it 
focuses on educating young black students about their past, while at 
the same time giving them an opportunity to prepare for the future.
  For the past 12 years, Mr. Piggee has been actively involved in 
organizing and leading the historical black college tour in which over 
1,800 students from across the United States have participated. This 
experience has allowed African-American students to experience various 
parts of their history and culture as it has developed in traditionally 
black colleges and universities throughout the country. In addition to 
gaining an historical perspective on African-American intellectual 
life, they get a chance to learn about the schools they may one day 
attend.
  One of the many positive results of Mr. Piggee's work is that over 60 
percent of the students who participated in one of the tours enrolled 
at one of the colleges they visited. As part of his work, Mr. Piggee 
has helped over 500 students secure grants, scholarships, and financial 
aid to historically black and other colleges and universities in the 
United States.
  Mr. Piggee, who tragically lost his son Marc in a drive-by shooting 
on November 12, 1996, is an active member in many civic and community 
organizations in northwest Indiana, including the board of directors of 
Indiana Black Expo, the State Board of Minority Health Coalition, and 
Healthy Start. He is a recipient of many distinguished awards, such as 
the Governor's Voluntary Action Programs and Excellence in Education 
Award, Indiana University's Outstanding Teacher Award, Gary and 
Merrillville, IN, Lions Club Teacher of the Year Award, Inland Steel 
Teacher of the Year Award, Gary Community Corporation Heritage Award, 
National Council of Negro Women, Gary, IN, Chapter, Outstanding Service 
Award, and the Indiana State Board of Health Outstanding Service Award.
  Besides his continued dedication to teaching, Mr. Piggee is also the 
coordinator of the developing options opportunity for responsible 
students, or DOORS, program. This program provides an environment that 
is conducive to the successful transition from high school to secondary 
education, the military, or the work force.
  Mr. Speaker, activists like Mr. Piggee will ensure that at all levels 
the fight for equality will not end. His work should inspire us all to 
look to the future and know that change is always at hand. His work 
shows us that what is today, can be better tomorrow. In closing, I 
would like to commend my colleagues, Representatives Louis Stokes and 
Maxine Waters, for organizing this important special order on Black 
History Month.
  Mr. GEPHARDT. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today with my 
colleagues in celebration of African American History month. The theme 
for this year's African American History Month Observance is ``African 
Americans and Civil Rights: A Reappraisal.'' When we reappraise we take 
stock, we review, and we measure the value of the item in question. As 
we reappraise the civil rights laws that we have passed in this body, 
laws that have helped realize for many of our citizens the promise of 
equal opportunity embodied in our constitution, I can say without 
question that they have appreciated in value and are worth more today 
to our Nation and our people than they were 30 years ago. They are of 
greater value because we can look back and see how far we have come and 
recognize that we are a better Nation because of the existence of these 
laws. Thirty years ago as the fog of racial oppression was only 
beginning to clear we could not have made such an assessment.
  As we made this reappraisal of civil rights we also mark an important 
anniversary. It was 15 years ago that we passed the 1982 major 
improvements to the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965 which extended 
and strengthened the enforcement provisions of the law. Some have 
described the Voting Rights Act as our Nation's most effective civil 
rights legislation, and I count myself among that group. I consider the 
votes that I have cast in support of the extension of the Voting Rights 
Act among the most important votes of my 20 years in Congress. Because 
of the Voting Rights Act there has been a dramatic increase in the 
participation of African Americans and other minorities in the 
electoral process at all levels of government. As a result of the 
Voting Rights Act African American voting participation in some 
congressional districts has increased by tenfold. I look around this 
institution and I see the power of the Voting Rights Act. Today there 
are 39 African American members of this body and if we were to poll 
them I believe they would tell us that their presence here is due in no 
small measure to the Voting Rights Act. One of those members is Bill 
Clay who in his 28 years of congressional service is the dean of the 
Missouri Congressional Delegation. He was a civil rights leader in St. 
Louis, our home town, during the struggles of the 1950's and 60's, and 
he is my leader in the Missouri delegation. I have had the pleasure of 
serving with Bill for all the years that I have been a member of this 
body. This institution is a better place because of the presence of 
Bill Clay and the other African American members of the 105h Congress 
and those who have come before them, and we are a better nation because 
of the Voting Rights Act.
  In addition to Bill Clay, who was the first African American Member 
of Congress from Missouri, I would also like to recognize another civil 
rights leader from St. Louis. In 1977, Gwen B. Giles became the first 
African American woman elected to the Missouri Senate and the first 
woman elected to the office of city assessor in St. Louis. Mrs. Giles 
was a tireless advocate for civil rights and for the rights of the 
disadvantaged. As an elected official and in her roles as executive 
secretary of the St. Louis Council of Human Relation, Director of the 
Civil Rights Enforcement Agency and as a founder of the West End 
Community Assoc., Mrs. Giles was a builder of community between the 
races. Mrs. Giles died on March 26, 1986, but she remains a pioneering 
spirit in St. Louis for her dedication to the principle and the 
practice of equality for all citizens. Today, I honor her historical 
achievements and contributions as well as those of other African 
Americans in Missouri and throughout our Nation.
  We celebrate this anniversary of the Voting Rights Act and we 
commemorate African-American History Month as we approach a new century 
at the crossroads of civil rights and race relations in our nation. 
There are those who look at the gains that African-Americans have made 
in the ballot box, in employment, in business and in education, and 
they no longer recognize the need for vigorous enforcement of our civil 
rights laws. They tolerate both direct and indirect attacks on the 
cornerstones of our most monumental civil rights achievement. We have 
seen these attacks take many forms. From the wholesale attacks on 
affirmative action to the more subtle and strategic strikes against the 
Voting Rights Act through the recent court challenges to minority 
congressional districts, these attacks have the collective impact of 
moving us backward toward our past of racial intolerance rather than 
forward toward the promise of the new century. They could not be more 
wrong. For those of you who say you support our civil rights laws in 
principle but through inaction dilute their effectiveness and drive 
wedges that further racial division and hostility, today I challenge 
each of you to make your deeds match your rhetoric. I challenge you to 
stop pulling at the dangling threads of intolerance that threaten to 
unravel the great blanket of civil rights protections we have all 
worked so diligently to weave. As we make this reappraisal of civil 
rights in this month that we celebrate black history, we must all 
recommit ourselves to supporting the enforcement of our civil rights 
laws. We cannot fail to leave this important legacy intact and of 
greater value to those who may stand in this place 30 years from today 
and make a similar reappraisal.
  Mr. ROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join with my colleagues in 
honoring the African-American community, as we commemorate Black 
History Month.
  The fabric that is America owes an important debt of gratitude to the 
accomplishments and genius of the African-American community. We are, 
in a very real sense, a whole nation due to the untold contributions of 
African-Americans in the fields of science, education, politics, 
commerce, sport, culture, and in so many other fields of endeavor.
  I am proud to represent thousands of African-Americans in the Ninth 
Congressional District of New Jersey. From Englewood to Maywood, Jersey 
City to Teaneck, African-Americans represent the very best that our 
region of

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New Jersey has to offer. Hard working and active in the civic life of 
their respective communities, African-Americans constitute an important 
part of what makes northern New Jersey such a special place to live.
  But while prosperity is increasingly being secured by African-
Americans in New Jersey and across the United States, we should not 
forget the recent past. Racism, embodied in so many aspects of American 
culture years ago, has still not disappeared. The civil rights 
struggle, which so honorably sought to erase racism, has not ended. And 
so today, like every day, all Americans, of all backgrounds, need to 
take a look at ourselves and recommit ourselves to erasing racial 
prejudice.
  Mr. Speaker, almost 35 years ago Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., spoke 
to America from Washington, DC. He said, ``I have a dream that my four 
little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be 
judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their 
character.'' On this day, February 11, 1997, and every day, let us make 
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s dream our own, and everyday, let us make 
Martin Luther King, Jr's dream our own, and work toward a nation that 
can rid itself of racial injustice.
  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to pay 
tribute to the African-American men and women who have helped make our 
Nation strong. Through mutual tolerance and understanding we have made 
significant strides in acknowledging and appreciating our diversity.
  In our Nation's short history we have learned that differences 
between people can be addressed in one of two ways: either through 
strong division and aversion, or through understanding and real 
cooperation. Division solves nothing, understanding is the key. 
Throughout much of this century, African-Americans have been the 
driving force in building an appreciation and understanding of 
diversity.
  One cannot look at the United States without acknowledging the 
contributions African-Americans have made in a variety of different 
areas. They have been involved in nearly every major event in U.S. 
history and have enriched American culture throughout. Undeniably, 
African-Americans have played key roles in the progress and prosperity 
of the Nation and the world. Only when we recognize these 
accomplishments can we truly see the richness of our country.
  In 1926, Dr. Carter Woodson first called for a period of time to be 
set aside for the recognition of important historical achievements by 
African-Americans. Fifty years later, our Nation acknowledged February 
as Black History Month. With each annual celebration, we find ourselves 
recognizing new milestones African-Americans have made and barriers 
that have been broken.
  For example, this year for the first time in our Nation's history, 
seven African-Americans were awarded the President's Medal of Honor for 
their bravery during World War II. These men were among the bravest of 
the brave, they risked their lives for our country. These African-
Americans gave so much, so that the rest of us might be free. We owe 
them a huge debt of gratitude. I am only sorry it took so long to give 
these men the recognition they so rightly deserve. This honor was well 
overdue. It illustrates well the point that, we have come a long way, 
but we have a long way to go.
  Racial tensions still exist within our borders. It is clear to me 
that there is still work to be done. In schools, neighborhoods, and 
communities, we should seek out commonality and celebrate our 
diversity, instead of looking to separate as a result of our 
differences.
  This is why we need to embrace all cultures and not only recognize, 
but celebrate the achievements of black Americans. As we trace our 
history, we can point to African-Americans who have made significant 
contributions to our country, from authors and sports heroes to 
political icons, including: Booker T. Washington, Willie Mays, Thurgood 
Marshall, Marcus Garvey, Barbara Jordan, Langston Hughes, and many 
other great men and women.
  As a nation, let us always acknowledge the accomplishments of 
African-Americans and celebrate them. Not only today, or during Black 
History Month, but every day.
  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, America is a Nation built from the labor, 
love, and dreams of people from all corners of the globe. Black History 
Month offers America a chance to celebrate the achievements and 
contributions of one of her many peoples--African Americans.
  To help preserve our history it has taken the herculean efforts of 
such people as Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard Ph.D. who started Negro 
History Week in 1926 and founded the association for the study of negro 
life and history; Arthur Alonzo Schomburg, a Puerto Rican-born New 
Yorker who amassed a collection of books, manuscripts, and letters by 
blacks of the Caribbean, Europe, and America; and Daniel Alexander 
Payne Murray, a black man hired as an assistant librarian for Library 
of Congress in 1881 and whose collection of books, documents, 
manuscripts, and letters laid the foundation for the Library of 
Congress' current expansive holdings in African American history.
  We must continue the work of Woodson, Murray, and Schomburg because, 
as Dr. Woodson argued in ``The Miseducation of the Negro,'' a greater 
understanding of black history provides African Americans with potent 
weapons in the fight against racism and attempts to devalue the 
contributions of African Americans.
  Even more important than just celebrating black history to counter 
negative views of African Americans or for its academic value, we must 
continue to celebrate it because current and future generations need 
this knowledge.
  I challenge each of you to talk to a young person and ask them what 
they know about black history, and I bet you'll find that Martin Luther 
King, Malcolm X, and slavery will be the majority of answers you 
receive. As adults we know that the sum total of our history is more 
than just the civil rights struggles of 1950's and 1960's. However, 
knowing is not enough. We must continue to impart the story of our 
history to our youth, whose perspective on life will only be enhanced 
by learning of the great achievements of their ancestors.
  Imparting this history means we must continue to educate ourselves 
and share the stories of lesser known, but equally important figures in 
black history.
  The association for the study of Afro-American life and history 
reports that the theme for the 1997 Black History Month observance is 
``African-Americans and Civil Rights: A Reappraisal.'' In keeping with 
this theme, we should examine the progress blacks have made in 
developing political power.
  No study of African-American contributions to American political life 
would be complete without a recognition of the life and work of Louis 
Emanuel Martin, who the Washington Post once referred to as the 
``godfather of black politics'' and who passed away only a few short 
weeks ago.
  Born in Shelbyville, TN, November 18, 1912, and raised in Savannah, 
GA, Louis E. Martin attended Fisk Academy High School and received his 
bachelor's degree in English from the University of Michigan in 1934.
  A journalist by profession, Martin joined the staff of the Chicago 
Defender after completing his education at the University of Michigan. 
In 1936 he became publisher of the newly-created Michigan Chronicle. 
During his tenure at the Chronicle, he published a book of poems by 
Robert Hayden and aided Walter Reuther who was organizing the United 
Auto Workers.
  In 1947 he moved back to Chicago to become editor-in-chief of Chicago 
Defender publications and helped found the National Newspaper 
Publishers Association, serving as its president. Three years later 
Martin was named editor-in-chief of Sengstake Newspapers. During this 
period he also wrote a weekly column on politics and was an active 
civic leader, lending his support to black entrepreneurs, artists, and 
civil rights leaders.
  A pivotal moment in Louis Martin's life came when fellow Chicagoan R. 
Sargeant Shriver asked Martin to work on the election campaign of his 
brother-in-law John F. Kennedy. Martin, who was named deputy chairman 
of the Democratic National Committee in 1960, was instrumental in 
arranging the sympathy call that Kennedy placed to Corretta Scott King 
when her husband Martin Luther King, Jr. was jailed in Atlanta on a 
traffic violation.
  Louis was an indispensable adviser to Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, 
and Carter, playing a key role in garnering support for landmark 
legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights 
Act. He helped open doors for a number of talented African-Americans, 
influencing the appointments of Solicitor General Thurgood Marshall to 
the Supreme Court, Andrew Brimmer as the first black member of the 
Federal Reserve Board, and Robert C. Weaver as Secretary of Housing and 
Urban Development.
  Probably Martin's most lasting legacy will be the Joint Center for 
Political and Economic Studies, which Martin founded in 1970 to provide 
technical assistance and support for black office holders and scholars 
across the country. The joint center has blossomed into one of the 
premier research institutions in the Nation and the only think tank 
which focuses the majority of its efforts on issues of importance to 
African-Americans.
  Although Louis Martin traversed the corridors of power, he did so 
without vanity or desire for notoriety. He reveled in working behind 
the scenes to bring about real opportunities for African-Americans. As 
his daughter Trudy Hatter of Diamond Bar, CA summed it up, ``he worked 
hard all the time, but not for himself.''
  I urge all of my colleagues to join me in celebrating his life and 
extending heartfelt condolences to Louis Emanuel Martin's wife Gertrude 
and their children Trudy, Anita, Toni, Linda, and Lisa. His vision, 
compassion, intelligence, and courage have blazed trails for his fellow 
African-Americans and have left an indelible mark upon the history of 
this Nation.
  Mr. BOYD. Mr. Speaker, we celebrate America as a nation of diverse 
peoples who

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share a common vision: freedom, independence, and liberty. Throughout 
our history, this diversity has served us well. The fabric of our 
communities has been strengthened by the contributions of all of our 
people.
  So as we celebrate Black History Month, we should be mindful of the 
rich history and vast contributions that African-Americans have made--
and continue to make--to our society. We marvel at the courage of Dr. 
Martin Luther King. We are humbled by the eloquence of Barbara Jordan. 
And we are enriched by the brilliance of Ella Fitzgerald.
  And there are thousands more. In north Florida, Rev. R.B. Holmes 
fights for a better future for all children through his efforts to 
build the best charter school in our Nation. Al Lawson works hard every 
day in our citizen's legislature to improve the lives of all of our 
families. And, at FAMU, Jim Davis makes a difference by trying to open 
the doors to higher education for all of our children.
  So, today, we proudly recognize the great role that African-Americans 
play in every facet of our human society. In that recognition we also 
seek to build a more perfect America. We seek to work together as 
leaders, parents, thinkers, artists, and students to make tomorrow's 
America better than today's. Our common goals are built on the common 
ground that all families seek: safety, security, and opportunity. We 
know that we can only realize those goals when we work as one.
  Mr. SABO. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to participate in the 
celebration of Black History Month this year by honoring two 
extraordinary civic leaders of Minnesota. I rise today to honor Cecil 
Newman and Gleason Glover, both of whom were influential and notable 
figures in Minnesota's civil rights history.
  Cecil Newman is most noted for founding both the Minneapolis 
Spokesman and the St. Paul Recorder, the oldest African-American-owned 
newspapers in Minnesota. In 1935, when the newspapers were first 
published, Cecil delivered them by foot. Today, the Spokesman and the 
Recorder are disbursed to over 26,000 Minnesotans.
  The newspapers were two among many of Cecil's remarkable achievements 
before he died in 1976. Mr. Newman was also responsible for persuading 
many African-Americans to exercise their right to vote and was a 
prominent leader in the fight for fair employment laws in Minnesota.
  I believe Hubert Humphrey's statement about Cecil best sums up the 
kind of man he was: ``Cecil Newman is a good citizen--responsible, 
active, wise, and influential. I have been enriched by his friendship, 
strengthened by his support, and helped by his advice.''
  Gleason Glover dedicated his life to bettering the lives of African-
Americans. His list of accomplishments and awards is long. I am proud 
to say I knew Gleason on a professional level and he was a close 
personal friend.
  Gleason came to Minnesota to serve as the executive director, and 
later the president and chief executive officer of the Minneapolis 
Urban League, one of the most forceful advocate organizations for 
African-Americans, minorities, and the poor. The league, which started 
in New York City in 1910 to help African-Americans in their transition 
from rural to urban living, has expanded to provide assistance in areas 
such as employment, housing, education, and social welfare. It has also 
taken on additional challenges including adolescent pregnancy, single 
female-headed households, and crime in the African-American community.
  By the time Gleason retired in 1991, his strong leadership brought 
the Minneapolis Urban League from a staff of three and a budget of 
$45,000 to a staff of over 100 and a budget of $3 million. Before his 
untimely death in 1994, Gleason was responsible for making the 
Minneapolis Urban League one of the most important civil rights/social 
service agencies in Minnesota.
  Again, I am proud to recognize the impact and influence both Cecil 
Newman and Gleason Glover had on the lives of many Minnesotans. Their 
dedication and commitment to public service made them great community 
leaders who will be long remembered.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
honoring black history month for 1997. I would like to thank the 
gentlewoman from California [Ms. Waters.] for arranging the time for 
this special order.
  Black history month is an appropriate time to recognize the 
outstanding black men and women who have contributed so much to our 
society. As my colleagues have pointed out, our history books do not 
yet recount the significant efforts of many African Americans and all 
they have accomplished to make America the great Nation that it is 
today.
  For example, Crispus Attucks, a free black man who, at the Boston 
massacre, was the first American to die for the revolutionary cause. 
After our war of independence was won a black man by the name of 
Benjamin Banneker laid out our Capitol City of Washington, DC.
  African Americans were among the most courageous and determined 
fighters in the war to end slavery. While thousands of black men and 
women were dying at the hands of their owners as examples to their 
peers, thousands more were escaping to the north by way of the 
underground railroad founded by Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman. And 
of course, let us not forget the tens of thousands of black soldiers 
who sacrificed their lives to end slavery in the Civil War.
  While the Civil War helped to end slavery in policy, it did little to 
eradicate social slavery. When Jim Crow laws threatened to prevent 
black men and women from assimilating into the American culture that 
had been denied to them for so long, leaders such as Frederick Douglass 
and W.E.B. DuBois fought to end such hypocritical and racist policies.
  The struggle for equality throughout the 20th century is one of the 
great sagas of all time. So many courageous black Americans risked 
everything in order to pave the path for those who followed. Jackie 
Robinson broke the color barrier in professional major league baseball, 
while Marian Anderson became a symbol of equality in the world of 
music. Mrs. Rosa Parks unwittingly became a great national symbol 
through her decision not to move to the back of the bus.
  A little more than 30 years ago, it was announced that for the first 
time in history, a black man--a man who until that point had achieved 
modest fame as a stand up comedian--would costar in a dramatic 
television series. Within the last few weeks, the entire world saw, as 
this great entertainer faced a deep personal tragedy, how much love and 
respect all Americans have for Mr. Bill Cosby. He has done so much 
single handedly to destroy hate and prejudice in our Nation that the 
outpouring of grief and sympathy upon the murder of his son has been 
phenomenal.
  So many barriers have been broken that there are very few segments of 
our society still closed to blacks. Tiger Woods has become the most 
famous black golf player in history, thus knocking down one of the 
remaining color barriers left in our society.
  Alvin Alley's contributions to the dance; Wilt Chamberlain's 
revolutionizing the game of basketball; Arthur Ashe teaching the Nation 
how to play tennis and how to face devastating disease with grace; 
Barbara Jordan articulating love of our form of Government; James 
Baldwin breaking new ground with the art form of the novel; Henry 
Johnson, a black man who was the first American soldier to be decorated 
by France during World War I; Dr. Mae C. Jemison, our first female 
black astronaut; William Brown, mayor of San Francisco; Alex Haley, who 
single-handedly revived the pursuit of family genealogy while 
instilling pride in black history; anthropologist Zora Neale Hurston; 
poet and Amnesty International leader Akua Lezli Hope. The list of 
prominent Afro-Americans in every field of human endeavor in the Untied 
States is endless.

  In the 1960's, the moral conscience of the entire Nation was finally 
awakened, and our laws were finally brought into compliance with the 
principles of our own American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, 
Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Mr. Speaker, I never cease to be 
amazed at how many young people today have trouble understanding how 
controversial the quest for civil rights was at the time, and how 
severe the sacrifices were of those who fought at the time. We must not 
let future generations grow up unaware that a steep price was paid for 
equality and justice.
  Black history month is an appropriate time to recall and recite the 
events in which black Americans changed our Nation's policies and 
attitudes. But we must also remind our students and our citizens that 
the struggle for equality continues today not only in the United States 
but also abroad. Fortunately, today we are blessed with heroic black 
men and women who work to bring our races closer together and set a 
shining example for our youth.
  It is imperative that we not simply acknowledge black history this 
month, forgetting it in the months to come. The appreciation of black 
history and its contributions to our Nation should be an ongoing 
process. The contributions of African-Americans to our society are 
truly exemplary, yet are too often taken for granted. I urge my 
colleagues to bear these contributions in mind throughout our 
deliberations.
  Our Nation's rich diversity sets it apart from every other nation on 
the face of the Earth. It is one of our greatest strengths and will be 
fundamental in our Nation's future success. If we embrace that 
diversity and learn from its ideals, then nothing will stand in our 
way. Black-Americans have significantly contributed to every facet of 
our society and therefore our culture. This, Mr. Speaker, is the lesson 
we must teach our children, in hopes that they too will one day teach 
their children these thoughts and pass along the importance of 
diversity in the Nation.
  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank our distinguished colleague 
from California, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, who chairs

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the Congressional Black Caucus, for joining me in sponsoring this 
Special Order. We gather today to mark the congressional observance of 
Black History Month. The occasion affords us the opportunity to 
acknowledge the contributions of African American men and women to the 
building and shaping of this great nation.
  We gather in the House Chamber 71 years after the late Dr. Carter G. 
Woodson proposed the observance of Negro History Week. In 1926, Dr. 
Woodson understood that African Americans were not receiving proper 
recognition in history for their contributions. Woodson proposed 
setting aside one week during the month of February to commemorate the 
achievements of African Americans. In 1976, the observance was changed 
to Black History Month. Our theme for the 1997 observance of Black 
History Month is ``African Americans and Civil Rights: A Reappraisal.'' 
I am proud to join my colleagues as we reflect upon this theme. It 
causes us to examine how far we have come in the struggle for civil 
rights.
  The civil rights movement of our time set its roots in the field of 
education, with assistance from the United States Supreme Court. In 
1954, in Brown v. Board of Education, the Court announced its ruling 
that segregation in the Nation's public schools was unconstitutional. A 
year later on December 1, 1955, in Montgomery, AL, Mrs. Rosa Parks was 
told by the driver on the bus on which she was riding to get up and 
give her seat to a white man. This seamstress, who was tired from a 
long day's work refused this order and was arrested.
  In protest, black leaders organized a boycott that lasted for 382 
days. It ended with the courts ordering integration and the abolishment 
of a legal requirement that black people had to stand up and let white 
people sit down whenever both races were riding on public 
transportation.
  The Montgomery bus boycott brought to the helm of the Civil Rights 
Movement a 27-year old black baptist minister whose name is forever 
etched in the annals of history. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., used the 
teaching of Mahatma Gandhi to preach a doctrine of love and 
nonviolence. During his lifetime, Dr. King's faith, perseverance and 
determination served as a symbol of the hope for equality for all 
Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, history records that on September 9, 1957, President 
Eisenhower signed a new Civil Rights Act which markedly enlarged the 
federal role in race relations. It established a Civil Rights 
Commission and a Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of 
Justice. It also gave the Attorney General authority to seek 
injunctions against obstruction of voting rights.
  One of the most climatic point in the campaign for equality came on 
August 28, 1963, when over 200,000 demonstrators of all races 
and religious denominations assembled in Washington, DC, in the largest 
civil rights march in the history of this Nation. It was at that march 
that Dr. King delivered his famous ``I Have A Dream'' speech.

  The civil rights movement of this century has passed through three 
phases, each one distinct in character. The first, desegregation, was 
an effort to break down the barriers of an old and corrupt social 
order. The second phase, integration, was concentrated on the opening 
up of opportunities--as in the case of the provisions of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1964 which guaranteed the right to vote, access to public 
accommodations, mandated non-discrimination in federal programs, and 
required equal employment opportunity.
  Mr. Speaker, we gather today to reflect upon our civil rights gain 
and to measure our progress. What I have outlined is a glimpse of our 
Nation's civil rights history. Let us turn for a moment to the 
challenges we face. Two of the greatest challenges to continued 
progress of the civil rights movement are in the areas of redistricting 
and affirmative action. Since its enactment over 30 years ago, the 
Voting Rights Act has altered the face of American government. In 1965, 
the south had only 72 African American elected officials; by 1976, 
there were 1,944. Today there are nearly 5,000--68 times as many as 
when the Voting Rights Act was passed. Then, on the last day of its 
1993 term, the Supreme Court again lowered the boom on years of 
progress with its decision in Shaw versus Reno and Hays versus 
Louisiana, and Johnson versus Miller in 1995. Each of these cases 
called into question the constitutionality of remedial race-conscious 
districting. Against this backdrop, on June 13, 1996, the Supreme Court 
rendered two more opinions that turned back the clock on voting rights. 
In Shaw versus Hunt and Bush versus Vera the Court simply nullified 
four congressional districts held by African Americans.
  Despite these setbacks, the struggle continues. My colleagues and I 
will continue to fight for equal opportunity and equal access for all 
minorities in the electoral process.
  The issue of affirmative action also impacts our civil rights 
progress. Within the last 2 decades, affirmative action has been the 
primary tool that has allowed minorities and women to break through the 
many barriers of discrimination that have contributed to keeping them 
unemployed, underpaid, and in positions of limited opportunity for 
advancement.
  Unfortunately, despite 3 decades of progress in this area, we are now 
faced with a new threat. We now face legislative and court initiatives 
that attempt to turn back the clock by attacking equal opportunity in 
America.
  The Rehnquist Supreme Court struck down a minority set-aside program 
requiring Richmond, VA contractors to hire minority-owned 
subcontractors for 30 percent of its contracts in City of Richmond 
versus J.A. Croson Co. The Court ruled in the Croson case that set-
asides by State and local governments were allowed only in cases of 
past discrimination. On June 12, 1995, the United States Supreme Court 
decision in Adarand Constructors versus Pena, established radical new 
standards for evaluating affirmative action programs. While the court 
does require ``strict scrutiny'' be applied to the review of 
affirmative action laws, the vast majority of affirmative action 
programs will easily survive such close examination. The court's 
opinion clearly acknowledges the value of well-tailored affirmative 
action programs as an important tool to end discrimination.
  On June 19, 1995, in response to questions raised about affirmative 
action, President Clinton presented a clear, unequivocal statement and 
plan to support and improve our Nation's efforts to promote equal 
opportunity and justice through the affirmative action laws of the 
United States. This support is particularly important because of the 
confusion and misinformation that is currently being circulated about 
the status, mission, and future of affirmative action programs.
  Mr. Speaker, I take pride in joining my colleagues for this special 
order commemorating Black History Month. I hope that our remarks will 
help all Americans to remember the important contributions that African 
Americans have made to this Nation.

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