[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 29 (Friday, March 11, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2513-S2514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          COMMEMORATIVE COIN IN HONOR OF THE LITTLE ROCK NINE

  Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, thank you for allowing me a few moments to 
speak about something I care very deeply about; that is, I am going to 
introduce a bill that would create a commemorative coin in honor of the 
50th anniversary of desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in 
Little Rock, AR.
  The bill I am introducing with my colleague, Senator Blanche Lincoln, 
is a companion measure to the work of our Arkansas colleague, Arkansas 
Congressman Vic Snyder.
  Once again, Congressman Snyder has shown himself to be quiet and 
effective and really able to get things done over in the House, not 
just for our States but for our Nation.
  Imitation is the greatest form of flattery, and I am here today to 
introduce identical language to Congressman Snyder's H.R. 358. I was 
excited to see that 319 members of the House of Representatives 
cosponsored Congressman Snyder's bill. It is my hope that I will have 
similar success in the Senate.
  The bill requires the Secretary of the Treasury to mint a coin in 
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little 
Rock Central High School in Little Rock. I believe this will serve as a 
timeless reminder of an event that provided a landmark change in our 
school system.
  Let me remind my colleagues about the desegregation crisis that took 
place at Little Rock Central High School and why this event is so 
important.
  In 1952, the Little Rock school board wanted to follow the rule of 
law and took the Brown v. Board of Education, Topeka, KS, case 
seriously, that momentous decision from 1954. When the U.S. Supreme 
Court used the phrase ``all deliberate speed,'' the Little Rock school 
board thought that it could begin to comply with the Supreme Court's 
ruling beginning in the 1957 school year.
  In 1957, nine black teenagers integrated the all white Central High 
School in Little Rock, AR, testing the Brown v. Board of Education 
Supreme Court decision that ultimately ended legal segregation in 
schools.
  As these nine teenagers attempted to enter the doors of Central High, 
they were confronted with an angry, rampaging mob. President Eisenhower 
ordered Federal troops to Little Rock to end the brutal intimidation 
campaign mounted against the black students and to uphold Brown and 
Federal law.
  The ``Little Rock Nine''--Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Gloria Ray 
Karlmark, Carlotta Walls LaNier, Minnijean Brown Trickey, Terrence 
Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, Thelma Mothershed Wair and Melba Pattillo 
Beals--changed the course of American history by claiming and 
exercising the right to receive an equal education.
  They were helped in this important endeavor by civil rights pioneer 
Daisy Bates who raised public awareness of their plight.
  Of her experience, Melba Pattillo Beals recalls:

       I had to become a warrior. I had to learn not how to dress 
     the best but how to get from that door to the end of the hall 
     without dying.

  Another one of those students was Ernest Green, who best explains why 
the Little Rock Nine sacrificed their innocence for a chance at a 
better education. He said:

       We wanted to widen options for ourselves and later for our 
     children.

  Mr. Green was the first black student to graduate from Central High 
School. He later served as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban 
Affairs under President Jimmy Carter and as vice president of Lehman 
Brothers.
  Turning opportunity into achievement is what civil rights pioneer 
Daisy Bates had in mind when she led the Little Rock Nine to break down 
the barriers that stood between them and an equal education.
  Despite threats on her life and of financial ruin, Daisy Bates made 
significant strides in the courtroom and increased public awareness 
through the newspaper she and her husband, L.C. Bates, published.
  As a former student of Central High--and by the way, I note that we 
have another student of Little Rock Central High in our presence today 
as one of our pages--I can tell you the impact of the Little Rock Nine 
and Daisy Bates is still felt in my heart and in the halls of Central 
High.
  The acts of courage, self-sacrifice, and grit by the Little Rock Nine 
should be shared with our current generation and the generations to 
follow.
  It took nine young high school students to prove to our Nation that 
``all men are created equal'' and that the rule of law is paramount in 
the democracy of the United States.
  Today, children all over America have the right to learn because of 
the courage and sacrifice of the Little Rock Nine. A commemorative coin 
will bring national and international attention to the lasting legacy 
of this important event. With this legislation, 500,000 $1 dollar coins 
will be minted by the Treasury.
  These coins will be minted with symbols emblematic of the 
desegregation of the Little Rock Central High School and its 
contribution to civil rights in America; bear the year ``2007''; and 
include the inscripted words ``Liberty'', ``In God We Trust'', ``United 
States of America'', and ``E Pluribus Unum'', which means, out of many, 
one. Little Rock Central High School helped us to become one nation.
  To cover the cost of the coins, the Secretary of Treasury shall sell 
the coins at face value with a surcharge to cover the cost of 
production and design.
  The courage of the ``Little Rock Nine'' (who stood in the face of 
violence, was one of the defining moments of the Civil Rights movement 
and changed American history by providing a foundation upon which to 
build greater equality.
  I hope that the Senate will join me in passing this measure to 
commemorate the Little Rock Nine and the desegregation of Little Rock 
Central High School.
  I urge my colleagues to cosponsor this bill and allow the measure to 
move forward in an effort to ensure that these extraordinary 
achievements are recorded and shared for future generations.
  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I rise, along with my friend, 
colleague and fellow Arkansan, Senator Mark

[[Page S2514]]

Pryor, to introduce a bill to direct the Treasury to mint a 
commemorative coin in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 
integration of Central High School in Little Rock, AR.
  Our colleagues in the House have led the way in this effort with a 
bill written by Representative Vic Snyder and co-sponsored by the 
entire Arkansas delegation.
  On September 2, 1957, nine African-American students made their way 
to the front doors of Central High School in the city of Little Rock, 
AR. In our modern era, this seems like a very normal moment. And in 
truth there is nothing particularly special about students making their 
way to school on the first day of class. However, in 1957, this was a 
Nation changing event.
  Ernest Green, Elizabeth Eckford, Jefferson Thomas, Terrence Roberts, 
Carlotta Walls, Minnijean Brown, Gloria Ray, Thelma Mothershed and 
Melba Pattillo showed courage in the face of strong opposition. Their 
principled stand helped to move the State and the Nation forward as it 
marched toward greater equality for all.
  What happened in Little Rock almost 50 years ago is not only a 
testament to the Little Rock Nine, but it is also a testament to those 
who supported them. It is a testament to the people of Little Rock of 
all hues who decided that they would confront their own consciences. 
And it is testament to those who, upon reflecting on the matter, 
decided that doing what is right was worth the cost.
  Theie decision to move this Nation forward makes me proud to be an 
Arkansan. It makes me proud to be an American. That's why I'm 
especially pleased to introduce this legislation to direct the Treasury 
to issue these commemorative coins. This bill is a small token of 
recognition of the gift that the Little Rock nine and the entire Little 
Rock community has given to this Nation.
  I believe that someone who was there can say it better than I can. At 
the 20th anniversary of the integration of Central High, Ralph G. 
Brodie, the '57-58 student body president, spoke at a special ceremony 
where he paid tribute to the Little Rock Nine. He addressed the three 
of the Little Rock Nine who were present saying: ``You've done much to 
assure the rights of others. Yours were acts of courage, and I salute 
you.''
  I join him. I salute the Little Rock Nine and I salute those, both 
black and white, who helped to successfully integrate Central High 
School.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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