[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 106 (Friday, July 29, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1745]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  H. CON. RES. 216: COMMEMORATING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VOTING 
                           RIGHTS ACT OF 1965

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                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2005

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 
216, a resolution commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Voting 
Rights Act, which was signed into law on August 6, 1965.
  Forty years ago, in many parts of the American South, it was almost 
impossible for people of color to register to vote. African Americans 
had to pay a poll tax and pass a socalled literacy test in some States 
in the South. There were black men and women who were professors in 
colleges and universities, black lawyers and black doctors who were 
told that they could not read or write well enough to register to vote. 
People were turned away from the courthouse when they attempted to 
register. Some were jailed.
  The turning point came 40 years ago, on March 7, 1965, when about 600 
men and women, and a few young children attempted to peacefully march 
from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery, the State Capitol, to dramatize to 
the world that people of color wanted to register to vote. And the 
world watched as they were met with night sticks, bull whips; they were 
trampled by horses, and tear gassed. One of the historic marchers is 
now a member of Congress, our colleague Representative John Lewis.
  In the wake of what is now known as Bloody Sunday, under the 
leadership of President Johnson, Congress passed the Voting Rights Act, 
and on August 6, 1965, it was signed into law. This was a nonviolent 
revolution in America, a revolution of values, a revolution of ideas. 
The passage of the Voting Rights Act helped expand our democracy to let 
in millions of our citizens. We are a better country because of it.
  Before we move toward reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, we 
must take notice of how far we have come and where we now stand, so 
that we can move together to ensure the continued effectiveness of the 
Voting Rights Act. Today many, including elderly adults, persons with 
disabilities, and people of color, continue to fight for the right to 
have their vote count while our nation's election system has yet to 
catch up and meet the needs of all of America's voters.
  Today, we remember the people who fought to expand democracy 40 years 
ago. But we must do more than just remember; we must use their example 
to continue the struggle today until the dreams of those who fought for 
the Voting Rights Act of 1965 become a reality for all Americans.

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