[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 29 (Thursday, February 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E354-E355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING AND PRAISING THE NAACP ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 98TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 12, 2007

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a proud co-
sponsor of the resolution honoring and praising the National 
Association for the Advancement of Colored People on this occasion of 
its 98th anniversary. I would like to thank my friend Rep. Al Green of 
Texas for putting forth this timely resolution.
  It is with great pleasure that I stand here today to honor 98 years 
of the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United 
States. As a young man growing up in the civil rights era, I witnessed 
firsthand the many struggles and efforts the NAACP encountered to fight 
the ugly face of racism and discrimination.
  Honoring the NAACP immediately brings to mind one of the most 
eloquent scholars of recent history, my hero, W. E. B. Dubois. His 
involvement in the Niagara movement and scholarly work in developing 
Crisis Magazine built the foundation for what became the thriving NAACP 
we see today. One adage of Mr. Dubois that still motivates me to this 
day is his assertion, ``There can be no perfect democracy curtailed by 
color, race, or poverty, but with all, we accomplish all, even peace.'' 
These words remind me of why I am here. Mr. Dubois understood that if 
America were to be

[[Page E355]]

a true democracy, all men and women must be involved in the process. He 
fought for the rights and equality of minorities in America and abroad. 
I rise today because I am moved by the purpose of this legislation, 
which perpetuates this national struggle and the legacy of W. E. B. 
Dubois which became the NAACP.
  Mr. Speaker, although our country has overcome many obstacles since 
the early 1900's--it is important we recognize this historical 
organization today because our Nation continues to struggle against 
discrimination and hate crimes. We must never forget the mission of the 
NAACP, ``to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic 
equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and 
racial discrimination.'' We must internalize this mission and 
continuously work together to realize the goals and mission of this 
organization. I urge my fellow colleagues to rise with me in support of 
this resolution.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  February 15, 2007--On Page E355 the following appeared: Madam 
Speaker, although our country has overcome
  
  The online version should be corrected to read: Mr. Speaker, 
although our country has overcome


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