[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 32 (Tuesday, February 24, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E311]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE NAACP ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 10, 2009

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National 
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for providing 
100 years of legal advocacy and justice for all Americans.
  One hundred years ago today a coalition of activists, scholars, and 
intellectuals of various shades gathered together to challenge our 
United States to live up to the words of the Constitution for all 
Americans. This founding group was diverse in ethnicity but united in 
their thirst for equality.
  The catalyst behind the group's formation was the 1908 racial attacks 
against Blacks in Springfield, Illinois, the state capital and the 
birthplace of President Abraham Lincoln. Disheartened by the violence, 
which took the lives of two Blacks and five accidental Whites; the 
group formally organized on February 12, 1909, the birthday of 
President Lincoln.
  A year later, the national office of the NAACP was opened in New York 
City. W.E.B DuBois founding publisher of The Crisis, the organization's 
official publication, was instrumental in attracting distinguished 
African-American literary figures who became the voice of the Harlem 
Renaissance. The iconic scholar also became the intellectual leader and 
voice of the NAACP, where he took a strong position in demanding full 
integration for his people over Booker T. Washington's policy of 
accommodation.
  Due to the rabid racism of the day, the organization grew quickly and 
reached the peak of its membership during the civil rights struggles of 
the 1950's and 1960's. Rosa Parks, secretary of the NAACP chapter in 
Montgomery, Alabama, triggered the famous boycott of the bus system by 
refusing to give up her seat.
  The NAACP's greatest achievements were in the courtroom, where it 
challenged many of the laws that enshrined segregation. One of the best 
known cases was Brown vs. Board of Education, which in 1954 challenged 
the ``separate but equal'' doctrine that was the bulwark of the 
nation's segregationist policies. Thurgood Marshall, special counsel to 
the NAACP, led legal arguments before the Supreme Court in that case, 
as well as many other laws that promoted segregation. Marshall would go 
on to become the first African-American Justice on the Supreme Court.
  The NAACP fought against lynchings, Jim Crow laws, and otherwise 
challenged the system of laws which denied full citizenship for Blacks. 
The election of President Barack Obama represents a culmination of the 
NAACP's efforts over the years, particularly in gaining full voting 
rights for African-Americans.
  The work of the NAACP has not been without danger. Many NAACP members 
and staff have been victims of racial violence. Perhaps the best known, 
was the assassination of Medgar Evers, the NAACP field secretary in 
Mississippi, in 1962.
  The NAACP has many heroes across the country who have sacrificed in 
order to fulfill our nation's promise of democracy and freedom. Among 
the organization's heroes are my good friends, Hazel Dukes and Percy 
Sutton. Ms. Dukes participated in many NAACP marches and was arrested 
several times as a protester. She has also served as president of a New 
York chapter and national president of the organization. Percy Sutton, 
a long time member and former president of the NAACP, represented many 
civil rights workers, including Malcolm X. I salute them for their 
dedication to this organization.
  Ben Jealous, the new leader of the NAACP, has pointed out a new set 
of challenges to be addressed in the years ahead. Among them are racial 
injustices in the criminal justice system, improving educational 
resources, and removing any remaining obstacles to economic 
development. The challenges may be different from those addressed 
during the first 100 years, but they are no less important.
  Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you and my colleagues in joining me in 
honoring the NAACP for 100 years of distinguished service to our 
country.

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