[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 156 (Monday, November 8, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S14307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER DAISY BATES

 Mr. HUTCHINSON. Mr. President, I rise today before the Senate 
to praise one of the true heroes of the civil rights movement, Daisy 
Bates. In her death yesterday at age 84, America has lost one of the 
most courageous advocates for justice and equality between races.
  Daisy Bates' life was one of conviction and resolve. Her character 
was a model of grace and dignity.
  Mrs. Bates was born in 1914, the small town of Huttig, Arkansas in 
the southern part of the state. Her life was touched by the violence of 
racial hatred at a young age, when her mother was killed while 
resisting the advances of three white men. Her father left soon 
thereafter, and Daisy was raised by friends of her family.
  Daisy moved to Little rock and married L.C. Bates, a former 
newspaperman, in 1942. For eighteen years, the two published the 
Arkansas State Press, the largest black newspaper in the state. The 
Arkansas State Press was an influential voice in the state of Arkansas 
which played a key role in the civil rights movement. Daisy and L.C. 
used the State Press to focus attention on issues of inequity in the 
criminal justice system, police brutality and segregation.
  In 1952, Daisy was elected president of the state chapter of the 
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. It was from 
this position that she was thrust into the national spotlight, as a 
leader during the crisis of Central High School in 1957, when black 
students attempting to enter the school were blocked by rioters and the 
National Guard.
  Throughout the crisis, the Little Rock Nine would gather in her tiny 
home before and after school to strategize about their survival. It was 
her home from which the Little Rock Nine were picked up from every 
morning by federal troops to take them to Central High, to face the 
rioters and the hatred. It was her home that was attacked by the 
segregationists.
  Even after the Little Rock Nine finally received federal protection 
to attend Central High, Daisy Bates continued to face violence and 
harassment. Threats were made against her life. Bombs made of dynamite 
were thrown at her house. KKK crosses were burned on her lawn. On two 
separate occasions, her house was set on fire and all the glass in the 
front of the house was broken out.
  It's hard to imagine how difficult it must have been for Daisy Bates 
to continue pursuing her convictions under such circumstances, but her 
perseverance is true testament to the strength of her character. 
Despite the violence, harassment and intimidation, Daisy Bates would 
not be deterred. She spent several more decades actively advancing the 
cause of civil rights, and helped the town of Mitchellville, Arkansas 
to elect its first black mayor and city council.
  I am saddened that Mrs. Bates will not be on hand next week when the 
Little Rock Nine is presented the Congressional Medal of Honor. That 
honor is truly one that belongs to her, the woman who shepherded those 
brave young men and women through those extremely difficult days forty 
years ago. My prayers go out to the family and the many friends of 
Daisy Bates. I know that God is throwing open the gates of heaven today 
for Daisy, a woman who helped so many others enter doors that were once 
barred to them.

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