[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 87 (Monday, June 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE BRAVERY OF THE LITTLE ROCK NINE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 27, 2005

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the bravery and 
courage of the Little Rock Nine as we commemorate the 50th anniversary 
of the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. At 
the time, these nine young African-Americans took heroic and dynamic 
steps toward achieving an integrated educational experience that would 
enhance their opportunities for a quality education.
  Fifty years ago, the idea that white and black students would sit in 
the same classroom, amongst other places, was unbearable to many. 
Individuals on both sides of the race line could not fathom the 
possibility of an integrated educational system. The racism and 
segregation that dominated the country at the time was also vile and 
vicious. Fear and intimidation had long been the mark of this country's 
racial past, evidenced by the lynchings that the Senate recently 
apologized for not taking action against. For those young men and women 
to take the brave steps toward equality by presenting themselves as 
instruments of change must have taken a lot out of them.
  Their bravery and courage nonetheless were the steps that have led 
this country to greater tolerance and understanding. It took heroes, 
like the Little Rock Nine, to lay the path for the important advances 
of today. Imagine where this country would be if these individuals had 
failed to step forward, to demand a desk at an integrated school, and 
to walk into American history demanding the fulfillment of the American 
Constitution.
  With machine guns at the ready, screaming mobs, and death threats 
hurdled at them, these nine young men and women bravely walked through 
the mob and into their classrooms. Their actions laid the foundations 
for a revolution in the American educational system. It called for an 
equalization of the way schools and communities would operate to ensure 
that all Americans received an equal opportunity to education and 
knowledge and that the doors of progress would no longer be closed to 
future generations of Americans, based on their race.
  Today we have cause to applaud these valiant efforts. The Nation has 
moved significantly towards provided educational opportunities for all 
of our citizens and given them access to true opportunities of access 
and influence. There is still much to be done though. States still 
spend disproportionately more, per student, on white schools than black 
schools. The facilities of some minority schools lag way behind those 
of predominately-white schools. Whites often take advantage of private 
educational systems, draining the resources of public schools. The 
effect is a continued deficiency in the educational opportunities of 
our students.
  Nonetheless, we have made considerable progress in our movement 
towards equality. That progress is largely thanks to individuals such 
as the Little Rock Nine. Without their bravery and courage in the 
1950s, this country would still have much work to do in terms of equal 
opportunity.
  I also want to thank my House colleagues for introducing and passing 
this resolution to recognize and honor those brave nine students. It is 
a sign that we have accomplished so much in this country.

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