[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 139 (Thursday, October 27, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12026-S12027]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


AUTHORIZING THE REMAINS OF ROSA PARKS TO LIE IN HONOR IN THE ROTUNDA OF 
                              THE CAPITOL

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 61, submitted 
early today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the concurrent 
resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 61) authorizing the 
     remains of Rosa Parks to lie in honor in the rotunda of the 
     Capitol.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
concurrent resolution.
  Mr. DODD. Mr. President, on Monday, this Nation lost a great American 
humanitarian, public servant, and true modern day civil rights hero, 
Mrs. Rosa Parks. The powerful and nonviolent act of defiance of this 
single, extraordinary lady changed the course of human history in this 
Nation, and around the world. By her respectful refusal to give up her 
seat to a white man and move to a seat in the back of a Montgomery, AL, 
city bus 50 years ago, Rosa Parks spoke to the fundamental truth of our 
democracy: that all men are created equal. None of us living today, nor 
the future generations of an eternity of tomorrows, will ever be the 
same because of the act of this brave woman. By her solitary action, 
Rosa Parks proved that one person can make a difference. And she did.
  Rosa Parks is not just a national hero, she is the embodiment of our 
social and human conscience and the spark that lit the flame of liberty 
and equality for African Americans and minority groups in this country 
and around the globe. Nelson Mandela, the former President of South 
Africa, once called her ``the David who challenged Goliath'' and his 
inspiration during his long imprisonment prior to taking office.
  It is altogether fitting and proper that this Nation honor the memory 
and gentle spirit of this great American and her legacy by providing an 
opportunity for the ordinary citizens of this Nation to pay their last 
respects to Mrs. Rosa Parks.
  Therefore, I proposed to the Senate leadership that we adopt a 
resolution authorizing such, and I am grateful to them for sponsoring 
the resolution that I authored to authorize the use of the Capitol 
Rotunda for the remains of Mrs. Rosa Parks to lie in honor beginning on 
Sunday, October 30.
  It has been the longstanding tradition of the Congress to authorize 
this honor for not just Members of Congress and Presidents, but 
ordinary citizens whose extraordinary efforts and service distinguished 
them in the history of this Nation. Other great Americans who have been 
similarly honored date back to 1909 when Pierre Charles L'Enfant, 
planner of the Capital City of Washington, lay in state in the Rotunda. 
Others include Admiral George Dewey in 1917; General John Joseph 
Pershing in 1948; General Douglas MacArthur in 1964; Director of the 
FBI, J. Edgar Hoover in 1972; and most recently, Capitol Police 
Officers Jacob Joseph Chestnut and John Michael Gibson in 1998.
  Congress recognized the need for the Nation to pay its respects to 
these honorable men and Congress should permit the Nation to pay its 
last respects to this honorable woman, Mrs. Rosa Louise Parks, as well.
  I thank my colleagues for their assistance and support and urge the 
House to adopt this measure expeditiously so that America may properly 
honor this courageous lady and great America.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
concurrent resolution be agreed to, the

[[Page S12027]]

motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, and that any statements 
relating thereto be printed in the Record, without intervening action 
or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 61) was agreed to, as 
follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 61

       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That, in recognition of the historic 
     contributions of Rosa Parks, her remains be permitted to lie 
     in honor in the rotunda of the Capitol from October 30 to 
     October 31, 2005, so that the citizens of the United States 
     may pay their last respects to this great American. The 
     Architect of the Capitol, under the direction and supervision 
     of the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of 
     the House of Representatives, shall take all necessary steps 
     for the accomplishment of that purpose.

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