[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 164 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2436]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MRS. DAISY BATES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EARL F. HILLIARD

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 1999

  Mr. HILLIARD. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to with a great sense of 
twoness--one as an African American and another as an American to honor 
death of my mentor and friend, Mrs. Daisy Bates. Her death last Friday 
comes prematurely as we honor Congressional Gold Medals to the men and 
women, known as the Little Rock Nine, that she shepherded into Central 
High School against the will of a racist Governor and white neighbors. 
She worked for many years in the NAACP and with the Democratic National 
Committee to educate and register voters. In 1987, the City of Little 
Rock paid tribute to her work by naming an elementary school in her 
honor. Her life is a celebration of progress and shows us how man in 
his quest for justice, is determined and cannot be deterred. Her 
sacrifices to tear down the walls of prejudice and injustice through 
education and voter registration will go ahead, whether we accept it or 
not. Daisy Bates' life, along with the life of other Civil Rights 
Movement heroes, showcases how overcoming racism in this country has 
become one of the greatest adventures of all time. But, it is an 
adventure that must be overcome.
  Today as I lift up Daisy Bates, I acknowledge that there is new 
knowledge to be gained, new rights to be won for the progress of not 
just African Americans, but all Americans. Whether this country likes 
it or not, there will come a day when the position of preeminence for 
the United States will not rest on the human rights it has obtained for 
others across the world, but the rights and dignity she has bestowed 
upon her own citizens.
  Our forefathers made certain that this country would ride the first 
waves of the industrial revolution, the first waves of modern 
invention, the first waves of nuclear power, and the first waves of 
equality under the law. Unfortunately, we have not yet ridden the wave 
for equal justice and must struggle to once again be a part of it and 
lead it. The eyes of the world now look unto us for the banner of 
freedom and peace.
  So, today, as I honor my mentor for her work and undying courage, I 
challenge my brothers and sisters across the world to begin 
establishing their lives, like Daisy Bates as instruments of knowledge 
and understanding.

                          ____________________