[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 165 (Friday, November 19, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DAISY BATES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DANNY K. DAVIS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 18, 1999

  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, a few days ago we celebrated the 
Nine Black Americans who had the courage to integrate Central High 
School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957, thus becoming known as the 
Little Rock Nine.
  On the very same day that we gave the Congressional Medal of Honor to 
the ``Little Rock Nine,'' the Nation was burying Daisy Bates, who had 
recently expired. Without Daisy Bates, I am not sure that there would 
have been a ``Little Rock Nine.'' Mrs. Daisy Bates was the civil rights 
leader who helped the nine young people, nine young African Americans 
to break the color barrier at Little Rock Central High School.
  In 1941, Mrs. Bates and her husband, Mr. L.C. Bates, founded the 
Arkansas State Press. They turned the weekly newspaper into the leading 
voice for civil rights in the State of Arkansas long before the 
decision was made to try and integrate Central High School.
  As president of the Little Rock NAACP, Daisy Bates, was an 
inspiration, a spark and a symbol of hope for smaller chapters which 
were on line or being organized throughout the state and indeed, in 
many rural and semi-rural communities throughout the Nation. As the 
struggle in Little Rock intensified and as Mrs. Bates' profile emerged, 
she appeared as a regal, thoughtful and fiercely determined leader who 
made tremendous self sacrifices in order to keep the Little Rock NAACP 
and the Arkansas NAACP alive, viable and continuing to grow.
  As the highest profiled African American leader in the state of 
Arkansas during that period of history, Daisy Bates performed 
exceptionally well under intense pressure. She was called upon for 
guidance, counsel, direction and overall leadership for a people.
  She was indeed a mother figure, a big sister, a mentor and protector 
for the Little Rock Nine; but she was more than that, she was a Moses 
for her people, leading them into a new era of freedom in their quest 
for equality and justice.
  Yes, Mrs. Daisy Bates, a pioneering freedom fighter, may you rest in 
peace.

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