[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COMMEMORATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate Black History Month, I rise 
to pay tribute to the extraordinary African-American men and women, 
past and present, who have shaped the rich history of our Nation.
  The month of February has been designated as Black History Month to 
celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of African-Americans 
throughout history. This year's national theme, ``Brown v. Board of 
Education: 50th Anniversary,'' commemorates the historic Supreme Court 
decision declaring that segregation had no place in the laws of a free 
republic.
  Over 50 years ago, in the Midwest town of Topeka, KS, a little girl 
named Linda Brown rode a bus 5 miles to school each day even though a 
public school was located only four blocks from her house. The school 
was not full and the little girl met all of the requirements to 
attend--except for the color of her skin. It is hard to imagine that 
merely 50 years ago, public schools across our country were deeply 
segregated.
  A team of brave lawyers from the NAACP would later appear before the 
Supreme Court to demand the justice contained within our founding 
principles--to demand equality for young Linda Brown and for all who 
had been denied the basic right of equality for far too long.
  On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court spoke unanimously 
and with great clarity when it declared that ``separate educational 
facilities are inherently unequal.'' This decision continues to have an 
impact on our country today. Just last year, the Supreme Court upheld 
the core principles of Brown v. Board when it ruled that maintaining 
diversity in higher education is a compelling governmental interest. I 
was pleased to join other Members of Congress in filing an amicus brief 
with the Court expressing our belief that democratic values are 
enhanced by the interaction between students of diverse backgrounds and 
indicating our full support for the efforts of universities to create a 
more vibrant and enriching learning environment.
  The decision in Brown v. Board would also forever change the 
landscape of the struggle for racial justice and equality in the United 
States and demonstrate the ability of individuals to effect true 
change. The congressional district that I represent can certainly 
recognize the ability of individuals to break through color barriers. 
Growing up in Pasadena in the early to mid-1900s, a young man named 
Jackie Robinson was an all-around athlete that would later change the 
sports world. Robinson won letters in football, baseball, basketball, 
and track at Pasadena's Muir Technical High School and Pasadena Junior 
College. Soon after, he would become the first athlete at UCLA to play 
on four varsity teams.
  On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson would take the field to play for 
the Brooklyn Dodgers--a pioneer as the first African-American to play 
major league baseball. Robinson not only opened the door to pro sports 
for other African-American athletes, but his remarkable accomplishment 
would help chip away at prejudices in the minds of Americans and 
jumpstart the process of dismantling existing barriers throughout our 
society.
  In this month of February, let us not only celebrate the 
accomplishments of those brave Americans who fought for racial justice, 
but let us work to keep their vision alive by continuing to break down 
barriers that exist and working to ensure equality of opportunity for 
all Americans.

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