[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E135-E136]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE MARE ISLAND ORIGINAL 21ERS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 16, 2007

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of 
H. Con. Res. 31, which honors the 21 African-American workers at Mare 
Island Naval Shipyard

[[Page E136]]

who filed a complaint of racial discrimination in 1961. This courageous 
decision to speak out led then Defense Secretary Robert McNamara to 
acknowledge the presence of military employment discrimination based on 
race in 1963. These 21 workers went on to establish the ``Original 
21ers Club'' for the purpose of elevating qualified minorities in every 
phase of Mare Island employment. Their efforts have led to increased 
equal opportunity employment in the region and in military facilities 
throughout the rest of the Nation, and it is for this great impact on 
our society that we honor them today.
  I thank my friend, the distinguished gentleman from California, 
Chairman George Miller, for introducing this bill acknowledging the 
efforts of these hardworking men. It is especially fitting that we pass 
this legislation today, the first legislative day after the observance 
of the national holiday honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
  Madam Speaker, this legislation highlights President John F. 
Kennedy's establishment of the Committee of Equal Employment 
Opportunity in 1961, which allowed the 21 workers proper recognition of 
their complaint. This committee was an essential forerunner to the 
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in existence today.
  I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this bill to honor these 
young men and their efforts toward equal opportunity employment for all 
Americans.
    

                          ____________________