[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 156 (Wednesday, December 7, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2476]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT

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                               speech of

                            HON. JOHN LEWIS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2005

  Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, December 1, 1955, became a 
history-making day, when a brave and courageous Rosa Parks committed 
one simple act. By sitting down and refusing to give up her seat on a 
city bus, Rosa Parks ignited a non-violent revolution in America. By 
sitting down she inspired many of us to stand up and become 
participants in the modern-day Civil Rights Movement. America is a 
better country, and we are a better people today, just 50 years later.
  The action of the brave and courageous African Americans of 
Montgomery, under the leadership of Martin Luther King Jr., ushered in 
a period of great hope and great expectation in America. During the 
past 50 years, we have seen unbelievable changes. We have seen the end 
of segregation in public transportation and in places of public 
accommodation. And the signs that said WHITE and COLORED have come 
tumbling down. In 50 years, we have witnessed the passage of the Civil 
Rights Act of 1957, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act 
of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
  It is my hope that as we pause and take note of what happened in 
Montgomery 50 years ago, another generation will be inspired to take a 
stand. I hope another generation will be inspired to speak up and to 
speak out for what is fair, for what is right and for what is just in 
this nation and the world.

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