[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 137 (Tuesday, October 25, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    STATEMENT HONORING THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CIVIL RIGHTS 
                         INSPIRATION ROSA PARKS

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 25, 2005

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay 
tribute to the life of civil rights icon, Rosa Parks. Mrs. Parks served 
us all as a shining example of courage, strength and dignity for the 
whole of her 92 years and through some of the darkest points in our 
nation's history. An acknowledgement of her life and her passing on 
Monday, October 24, 2005 is in order.
  On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks quietly insisted upon the actions 
demanded by the most self-evident of truths: that she be recognized and 
respected as an equal. An equal to every other human being and every 
other citizen in the State of Alabama and the United States of America. 
On a day when she had worked as hard as anyone else, Rosa Parks 
insisted that she be recognized and respected as a human being, and 
quietly demanded to keep her seat.
  The simplicity of her refusal to give up her seat on a public bus to 
a White passenger crystallized the pain of a nation and sparked a 
Movement. From that day on, African-Americans would be civilly 
disobedient. We would use non-violence to quietly demand in the most 
respectful way possible that we receive the respect that had been 
denied to us. Mrs. Parks inspired a Civil Rights Movement that 
empowered African-Americans politically, socially and personally. She 
was our inspiration to walk together until the economic, cultural, 
historical and political importance of African-Americans as Americans 
would be recognized. Mrs. Parks inspired the first steps in the next 
chapter of our national journey. . .and we continue to walk together 
today.
  As we remember Rosa Parks, we must remember the trials and sacrifices 
for which she and so many others tirelessly fought. We must honor her 
memory by continuing the fight. The fight for justice. The fight for 
equality. The fight to be recognized first and foremost and in all 
situations as human beings. We are saddened by her passing, but she 
will live on in our memories and our actions.

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