[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 14 (Tuesday, January 29, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H537-H538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING SENATOR GWENDOLYN BRITT

  (Mr. VAN HOLLEN asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Speaker, the civil rights movement was full of 
heroes whose names we know and many whose names we will never know 
despite the depth of their sacrifice.
  Just recently, this Nation remembered Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 
whose good works are known to our Nation and to the world.
  Today I am honored to remember and celebrate the life of another 
extraordinary civil rights leader who helped stand up against injustice 
in our Nation.
  State Senator Gwendolyn Britt passed away recently, but she left 
behind an extraordinary legacy. She first stood up against racial 
segregation not in Montgomery, Alabama, but in Montgomery County, 
Maryland, at Glen Echo Park, just a 20-minute drive from this Capitol.
  It was a hot summer evening in June 1960. Glen Echo Park was 
segregated at

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the time, and Gwendolyn Britt, an African American, purchased a ticket 
to ride on the carousel. She was arrested that day, and her case went 
to the Supreme Court of this country. It was the first of many brave 
acts in standing up against injustice by Gwendolyn Britt, a person who 
changed our community and changed our country.
  The civil rights movement was full of heroes, some whose names we all 
know, and many whose names we never learned despite the depth of their 
sacrifice.
  Just recently we remembered Dr. Martin Luther King, whose name and 
accomplishments have become well known as part of our country's 
history. And we know the story of Mrs. Rosa Parks, who showed courage 
when others were silent.
  Today, I am honored to remember and celebrate the life of another 
extraordinary civil rights leader, a woman who, like Dr. King and Mrs. 
Parks, never sought credit for her actions, but only sought to do what 
was right.
  She was only 18 years old when the world first met Gwendolyn Greene. 
It was a hot summer evening in June 1960 when Gwendolyn Greene, a 
student at Howard University entered Glen Echo Park. At that time, 
blacks were not allowed to enter that amusement park. This park, 
incidentally, is within 20 minutes of the floor on which I am speaking, 
just outside the District of Columbia in Montgomery County, Maryland.
  Ms. Greene joined a small group of young people at the gates of this 
popular local park, determined to introduce freedom and equality 
through desegregation to Montgomery County, Maryland.
  Gwen Greene chose to stand up. Despite the fear these young people 
felt, despite all of the turmoil they knew would arise from their 
illegal action, they entered Glen Echo Park. Gwen bought a ticket for 
the merry-go-round, and bravely and boldly sat upon a spotted horse, 
refusing to move until arrested.
  At that very moment, this young woman chose to effect change. She 
didn't take the easy way out; she didn't stick with what was 
comfortable and safe. Not even after a trip to jail and the United 
States Supreme Court--not even after again being arrested, this time in 
Jackson, Mississippi, and spending 40 days in jail for refusing to 
leave a ``whites-only'' waiting room at a train station--would she be 
dissuaded from taking her fight for equal rights around the Nation as a 
Freedom Rider.
  Gwen Greene later married, became Gwen Britt, and the mother of two 
sons. She worked for the telephone company for many years. But the 
effect of her action at Glen Echo and as a Freedom Rider was not lost 
on her. As she said many years later, ``I became determined to do what 
I could to make a person's life better.''
  And, throughout her life, that's what she tried to do, eventually 
culminating in her election to the Maryland State Senate in 2002. 
There, she quickly became a leader on issues that matter, such as 
education, health care, and civil rights. As one of the State senators 
in my congressional district, I was pleased to work in partnership with 
her on issues and projects that benefited our constituents and our 
State. At every meeting, I was inspired by the courtesy with which she 
treated everyone and the collaborative spirit she brought to every 
issue.
  Gwen Britt never shied away from standing up for those who could not 
stand up for themselves. She went about her life's work with quiet 
dignity and humility, accomplishing so much for so many. Many who have 
benefited from Senator Britt's work never knew of her courageous stands 
on behalf of justice and equality. Many never knew that this brave 
woman, this woman who rarely sought the limelight, made such a profound 
difference in so many lives.
  Senator Gwen Britt was dedicated to doing what was right. She serves 
as an inspiration to us all to fight for what is right regardless of 
the consequences.
  Webster's defines ``courage'' as mental or moral strength to venture, 
persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. In Gwen Britt, 
this word is personified.
  My heartfelt condolences go to Travis Britt, Gwen Britt's devoted 
husband and partner, and to their two sons, Travis, Jr. and John. Our 
country thanks you for sharing your wife and mother with us so that she 
could make a difference in our lives.

                          ____________________