[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 157 (Tuesday, November 9, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S14364-S14365]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    LITTLE ROCK NINE AND DAISY BATES

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, mere words seem inadequate to honor the 
courage of some people and so I am humbled to lend my voice to the 
chorus of praise for the Little Rock Nine, who today will receive the 
Congressional Gold Medal, and I will also speak in remembrance of Daisy 
Bates, a daughter of Arkansas and a civil rights activist.
  Receiving the medal today are: Jean Brown Trickery, Carlotta Walls 
LaNier, Melba Patillo Beals, Terrence Roberts, Gloria Ray Karlmark, 
Thelma Mothershed Wait, Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, and Jefferson 
Thomas. As teenagers, when they bravely walked through the doors of 
Central High School in Little Rock, they led our Nation one step closer 
to social justice and equality. While it is still painful to look at 
pictures from that time, where white teens sneered at their black 
peers, seeing the harsh face of hatred opened our Nation's eyes and 
propelled the civil rights movement forward.
  Before the ``Crisis of 1957,'' as some call the events at Central 
High, Little Rock was not associated with the pervasive segregation of 
the Deep South. In fact, Little Rock was considered quite a progressive 
place and some schools in Arkansas had already integrated following the 
Brown v. Board of Education decision in May of 1954. So, when nine 
students sought to integrate Central, few Arkansans envisioned a 
confrontation with the National Guard at the schools entrance. And I 
doubt many imagined the long-lasting, profound effects of this 
confrontation on the entire State. While the country witnessed 
countless images of this face-off, they were not necessarily aware of 
the continuing abuse endured by the Little Rock Nine, or the fact that 
Central High School had to be closed because the atmosphere was so 
hostile.
  Now, we all know that the high school years aren't easy for any 
teenager. For these men and women, high school was inordinately 
difficult. In addition to enduring the verbal taunts and even beatings, 
some had to uproot to other schools in the middle of the school year. 
Luckily for Carlotta, Thelma, Ernest, Jefferson, and the others, a 
woman named Daisy Bates entered their lives as a ``guardian angel'' of 
sorts.
  According to Daisy's own accounts and those of the Little Rock Nine, 
the students would gather each night at the Bates' home to receive 
guidance and strength. It was through the encouragement of Daisy Bates 
and her husband, L.C., that these young men and women were able to face 
the vicious and hateful actions of those so passionately opposed to 
their attendance at Central. Ironically, Daisy Bates passed away last 
Thursday. She was laid to rest this morning, the very day the Little 
Rock Nine will receive their medals. I know she is with us in spirit--
acting again as a guardian angel to these brave men and women. This 
great woman leaves a legacy to our children, our State and our Nation: 
a love of justice, freedom, and the right to be educated. As a result 
of her efforts, the newspaper Mrs. Bates and L.C. published was forced 
to close. She and L.C. were threatened with bombs and guns. They were 
hanged in effigy by segregationists. But Daisy Bates persevered. She 
did all this, withstood these challenges, because she loved children 
and she loved her country. She had an internal fire, instilled in her 
during a childhood spent in Huttig, AR. And this strong character shone 
through as she willingly took a leadership role to battle the legal and 
political inequities of segregation in our state and the nation.
  Many have called that confrontation at Central High an historic 
moment, a pivotal moment, a defining moment.

[[Page S14365]]

But it was more than just one moment. When these nine men and women 
walked into Central High School, they opened more than a door, they 
opened the flood gates. For them and for the rest of our country, the 
battle didn't end at the schoolhouse steps. Their struggle lasted for 
years and, in reality, it still continues. My husband and I are both 
products of an integrated public school system in Arkansas. We are 
personally grateful to the Little Rock Nine for making our school 
experience rich with diversity. I truly value the lifelong lessons that 
I learned at an early age and I might not have had the wonderful 
privilege of studying with children of all races were it not for the 
Little Rock Nine. There is still much work to be done to bring complete 
civil rights and equality to our Nation.
  Today, as we pause to remember Daisy Bates and to honor the Little 
Rock Nine, I hope we will be renewed and refreshed in or efforts. I'm 
encouraged by the words of Daisy Bates' niece, Sharon Gaston, who said, 
``Just don't let her work be in vain. There's plenty of work for us to 
do.''I hope my colleagues will join me in extending appreciation and 
commendation to the Little Rock Nine. And in remembering a matriarch of 
the civil rights movement, Daisy Gaston Bates.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Rhode Island.
  Mr. L. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent to speak as in 
morning business for up to 10 minutes.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The 
distinguished Senator from Rhode Island is recognized for up to 10 
minutes.
  Mr. L. CHAFEE. I thank the Chair.
  (The remarks of Mr. L. Chafee and Mr. Jeffords pertaining to the 
introduction of S. 1891 are located in today's Record under 
``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative assistant proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator 
Bingaman and I be permitted to proceed for 10 minutes as in morning 
business for the purposes of introduction of an important bill.
  Mr. REID. Reserving the right to object, I did not hear the request. 
What was it?
  Mr. DOMENICI. Senator Bingaman and I want to introduce a bill that is 
very historic to New Mexico, and we would like to each speak for about 
5 minutes on it. We do not ask for any action. It will be referred to 
its appropriate committee.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The Senator from New Mexico.
  (The remarks of Mr. Domenici and Mr. Bingaman pertaining to the 
introduction of S. 1892 are located in today's Record under 
``Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')

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