[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 139 (Thursday, October 27, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         TRIBUTE TO ROSA PARKS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. STENY H. HOYER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 26, 2005

  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, in February of 1913, an extraordinary lady 
was born and 42 years later she refused to give her seat up on a bus in 
Montgomery, Alabama. Her actions had an extraordinarily positive impact 
on America and on focusing Americans' attention on the fact that they 
were, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, not fulfilling our Nation's 
promise of equality and justice. And so we note the passing of Rosa 
Parks at the age of 92. She made an extraordinary contribution, not 
just to our country, but to the concept of equality and dignity of 
human beings around the world.
  Rosa Parks was a civil rights icon and a national treasure. Her 
simple, dignified act nearly half a century ago--defiance of a racist 
law that denied her humanity--helped galvanize the civil rights 
movement and delivered a moral body blow to segregationist laws that 
stain our Nation's history.
  Ms. Parks' life is a testament to the truth that one person with 
courage and an unshakable will can change a Nation and begin to right 
wrongs. Her legacy will endure not only through her personal acts of 
courage and strength, but also through the thousands of activists who 
were inspired by her.
  Ms. Parks risked everything, including her life, for a cause that she 
knew in her heart was right. We are a better Nation today as the result 
of her courage and vision. And, we should honor her memory by 
continuing the fight for equality, decency and basic human rights.

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