[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 132 (Friday, September 7, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S11279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       50TH ANNIVERSARY OF DESEGREGATION IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

  The resolution (S. Res. 301) recognizing the 50th anniversary of the 
desegregation of Little Rock Central High School, one of the most 
significant events in the American civil rights movement, was 
considered and agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 301

       Whereas the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown 
     v. Board of Education of Topeka established that racial 
     segregation in public schools violated the Constitution of 
     the United States;
       Whereas, in September 1957, 9 African-American students 
     (Minnijean Brown, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, Thelma 
     Mothershed, Melba Pattillo, Gloria Ray, Terrence Roberts, 
     Jefferson Thomas, and Carlotta Walls), known as the ``Little 
     Rock Nine'', became the first African-American students at 
     Little Rock Central High School;
       Whereas the Little Rock Nine displayed tremendous strength, 
     determination, and courage despite enduring verbal and 
     physical abuse;
       Whereas Little Rock Central High School was listed in the 
     National Register of Historic Places on August 19, 1977, and 
     was designated a National Historic Landmark on May 20, 1982;
       Whereas, on November 6, 1998, Congress established the 
     Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in the 
     State of Arkansas (Public Law 105-356), which is administered 
     in partnership with the National Park Service, the Little 
     Rock Public School System, the City of Little Rock, and other 
     entities;
       Whereas, in 2007, Little Rock Central High School and the 
     Little Rock Central High School Integration 50th Anniversary 
     Commission will host events to commemorate the 50th 
     anniversary of the Little Rock Nine entering Little Rock 
     Central High School;
       Whereas these events will include the opening of a new 
     visitors' center and museum, which will feature exhibits on 
     the Little Rock Nine and the road to desegregation; and
       Whereas Little Rock Central High School continues to be 
     regarded as one of the best public high schools in the United 
     States, with students scoring above the national average on 
     the ACT, PSAT, and PLAN tests and receiving an average of 
     $3,000,000 in academic scholarships each year: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) recognizes the extraordinary bravery and courage of the 
     Little Rock Nine, who helped expand opportunity and equality 
     in public education in Arkansas and throughout the United 
     States by becoming the first African-American students at 
     Little Rock Central High School;
       (2) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the desegregation 
     of Little Rock Central High School, one of the most 
     significant events in the American civil rights movement;
       (3) encourages all people of the United States to reflect 
     on the importance of this event; and
       (4) acknowledges that continued efforts and resources 
     should be directed to enable all children to achieve equal 
     opportunity in education in the United States.

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