[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 15 (Tuesday, February 2, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H435-H437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RECOGNIZING 49TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTEGRATION OF NEW ORLEANS SCHOOLS
Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
resolution (H. Res. 901) recognizing November 14, 2009, as the 49th
anniversary of the first day of integrated schools in New Orleans,
Louisiana, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows:
H. Res. 901
Whereas, in 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that segregated
schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th
amendment to the Constitution;
Whereas Judge J. Skelly Wright, of the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, ordered
the Orleans Parish School Board to develop a school
desegregation plan in 1956 and, after years of delay, in
1960, ordered the Orleans Parish School Board to carry out a
plan designed by the United States District Court for the
Eastern District of Louisiana;
Whereas 6 years after the Brown v. Board of Education (347
U.S. 483) decision, on November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges, at
the age of 6, became the first African-American student to
attend the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New
Orleans, Louisiana;
Whereas Ruby Bridges had the courage to attend the William
Frantz Elementary School every day during the 1960-61 school
year despite ongoing riots and protests in New Orleans,
having to be escorted to school by Federal marshals, and
having no other students in her classroom;
Whereas Ruby Bridges was also supported by her white first-
grade school teacher, Ms. Barbara Henry, whose lessons remain
with Ruby Bridges to this day;
Whereas Ms. Henry faced retaliation for teaching Ruby
Bridges by not being invited to come back and teach at
William Frantz School following the 1960-61 school year;
Whereas, in 1995, Ruby Bridges contributed to ``The Story
of Ruby Bridges'', a book for children, and, in 1999, wrote
``Through My Eyes'' to help educate children and people of
all ages about her experiences and the importance of
tolerance;
Whereas Ruby Bridges established the Ruby Bridges
Foundation in 1999 to help eliminate racism and improve
society by educating students about the experiences of Ruby
Bridges, discuss ongoing efforts to promote diversity, and
provide lessons students can take back to their own
communities; and
Whereas, in 2002, the Ruby Bridges Foundation, along with
the Simon Wiesenthal Center's Museum for Tolerance in Los
Angeles, launched The Ruby's Bridges Project, a program that
brought together students from diverse backgrounds to develop
relationship-building skills and promote an appreciation of
one another: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) recognizes the 49th anniversary of the first day of
integrated schools in New Orleans, Louisiana;
(2) remembers Judge J. Skelly Wright for his advocacy,
support, and lifelong commitment to promoting civil rights,
fairness, and equality;
(3) commends Ruby Bridges for her bravery and courage 49
years ago, and for her lifetime commitment to raising
awareness of diversity through improved educational
opportunities for all children; and
(4) supports policies and efforts to promote equal
opportunities for all students regardless of their
backgrounds.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Ohio (Ms. Fudge) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Petri) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Ohio.
General Leave
Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I request 5 legislative days during which
Members may revise and extend their remarks and insert extraneous
materials on H. Res. 901 into the Record.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 901, which recognizes
the 49th anniversary of integrated schools in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Forty-nine years ago, Ruby Bridges became the first African American
student to attend the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in New
Orleans. Amidst deadly threats, violence, and abuse, Ruby attended her
first grade class every day over the course of the year. She was
escorted to school by Federal marshals just so she could receive the
same education as her white peers. When Ruby entered her new classroom,
the white students refused to sit and learn next to her.
Ruby was fortunate to have Ms. Barbara Henry as her teacher during
this tumultuous year. Ms. Henry instructed Ruby in an empty classroom
over the course of the school year. The two played games, talked, and
learned from each other amongst the racially tense times. It is not
surprising that Ms. Bridges still considers her year with Ms. Henry as
one of the most pleasant times in her life.
Outside the classroom, Ruby came face to face with the ugliness that
erupted during this time. Militant segregationists took to the streets
in protest, and riots erupted all over the city. Her family also felt
the impact of her bravery. Her father, Abon Bridges, and her
grandparents were all fired from their jobs. However, many folks, both
black and white, supported the Bridges family during their trying
[[Page H436]]
time. People sent letters of support, neighbors watched after their
house, and helpful friends and community members made financial
contributions.
{time} 1445
In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of Education that
segregated schools violated the equal protection clause of the 14th
Amendment. Prominent figures like the Reverend Martin Luther King,
Justice Thurgood Marshall, and the Little Rock Nine are civil rights
activists who are typically credited with moving the civil rights
movement forward. While the story of Ruby Bridges is not widely known,
her contributions to the movement are equally deserving of great
recognition.
Today, Ruby stands as a hero to all of us. She has taken the lessons
she has learned from her youth and dedicated her life to helping
students. Her foundation helps students deal with racism and diversity
at school and within their own community. She also wrote ``Through My
Eyes,'' explaining her first-grade experience, and now partners with
organizations that promote nonviolence in schools. Her monumental
contributions to the American civil rights movement deserve to be
recognized.
I want to thank Representative Gwen Moore for bringing this
resolution forward, and urge my colleagues to support this measure.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I am delighted today to rise in support of the resolution before us,
House Resolution 901, introduced by my colleague from the State of
Wisconsin, Gwen Moore, recognizing November 14, 2009, as the 49th
anniversary of the first day of integrated schools in New Orleans,
Louisiana.
In 1954, the United States Supreme Court ruled in Brown v. Board of
Education of Topeka that State laws establishing separate public
schools for black and white students denied black children equal
educational opportunities. Louisiana District Judge J. Skelly Wright
ordered the Orleans Parish Board to carry out a plan to integrate the
State's schools. After a 6-year delay, Ruby Bridges became the first
African American to attend the all-white William Frantz Elementary
School in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Ruby Bridges faced many challenges during her first day and ongoing
years at William Frantz. Only Barbara Henry was willing to teach Ruby,
and for over a year Mrs. Henry taught her alone. Mrs. Henry's lessons
left an indelible mark on Ruby and remain with her to this day.
Ruby and her family suffered many hardships as a result of Ruby's
attendance at William Frantz. However, many of the community showed
support in a variety of ways. Some white families continued to send
their children to Frantz, despite the protests, and local members of
the community walked behind the Federal marshals' car on the trips to
school.
Today, Ruby Bridges is the chair of the Ruby Bridges Foundation,
which she formed in 1999 to promote the values of tolerance, respect,
and appreciation of all differences.
In 2002, the Ruby Bridges Foundation, along with the Simon Wiesenthal
Center Museum for Tolerance in Los Angeles, launched the Ruby's Bridges
Project. The project brought together students from diverse backgrounds
to develop relationship-building skills and promote an appreciation of
one another.
So I stand before you today to recognize the 49th anniversary of the
first integrated schools in New Orleans, Louisiana. I also want to
acknowledge Judge J. Skelly Wright and Mrs. Barbara Henry for their
support and lifelong commitment to civil rights and equal opportunity.
In addition, I want to commend Ruby Bridges for her bravery and courage
49 years ago and for her commitment to raising awareness of diversity
through educational opportunities for all children.
I thank my colleague, Gwen Moore of the State of Wisconsin, for
giving us an opportunity to recognize her contribution. I urge my
colleagues to support this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. FUDGE. I am pleased to recognize the gentlewoman from Wisconsin
(Ms. Moore) for such time as she may consume.
Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleague
from Wisconsin for supporting House Resolution 901.
I can tell you that you have heard the history of Ruby Bridges, but
in my own Fourth Congressional District of Wisconsin, last spring
another teacher, a first-grade teacher, started a class project to
teach her 6-year-old students the historic impact of Ruby Bridges
during last February's Black History Month.
The students, recognizing the bravery of another child their age,
thought Ruby Bridges should have her own special day of recognition. So
what started as a very modest class project sort of built this
groundswell where 2,200 signatures were collected throughout the Fourth
Congressional District of Wisconsin, and indeed throughout the State.
The project gained letters of commendation from Milwaukee Mayor Tom
Barrett and from then-State Superintendent of Education Elizabeth
Burmaster. They sent the full list to President Barack Obama and other
elected officials in support of a Ruby Bridges Day.
It is so truly remarkable that a first-grade class in my district not
only learned the historic lessons of 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, but also
learned how extraordinary it is to have a voice in this great country
of ours through the power of the pen. In fact, the initiative of these
small children brings me to the floor of the House of Representatives
today seeking support for H. Res. 901.
Ruby Bridges is the young black girl in the classic Norman Rockwell
painting wearing a white dress, escorted, for her safety, by Federal
marshals to school. And years after the Supreme Court had ruled the
segregated schools were unconstitutional, Louisiana was finally forced,
under a Federal court order, to implement a desegregation plan for the
New Orleans public schools.
How frightened but how brave was a 6-year-old girl who took that test
and qualified to become one of the first official African American
students to attend this all-white school. And although she was only 6
years old, Mr. Speaker, and the lone black student at the school, she
never missed a day, attended each and every day. Ruby, a jewel,
Bridges, bridging a cultural gap.
I am so proud to support this resolution honoring Ruby Bridges.
Mr. PETRI. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to yield such time as he may
consume to my colleague, the Representative from New Orleans,
Louisiana, Joseph Cao.
Mr. CAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to request my colleagues to join
me in supporting House Resolution 901.
In 1956, the Orleans Parish School Board was ordered to develop a
school desegregation plan. After years of delay, a young girl by the
name of Ruby Bridges became one of the first black children to attend
an integrated school. Upon her arrival, every white parent came to
remove their child. All but one white teacher refused to teach. That
one teacher instructed Ruby in a room by herself for a full year.
This experience did not deter Ruby, who not only completed her
education but went on to found the Ruby Bridges Foundation. The
foundation's mission: To promote the values of tolerance, respect, and
appreciation of all differences.
I was honored to have met Mrs. Bridges in New Orleans on a number of
occasions, and she still expresses the same radiant smile now as she
did in 1956. She is truly an extraordinary woman.
At a time when my city is fighting to rebuild its schools and build
up young people, I am thankful to have her as an ally and an
inspiration for future generations. And, having lived in New Orleans
all of her life, I am sure she would like to join me in proclaiming
``Who Dat.''
I hope that my colleagues will join me in supporting House Resolution
901, recognizing the 49th anniversary of the first day of integrated
schools in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Mr. PETRI. I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I just want to close by of course recognizing
the fact that, as we begin Black History Month, there is no better
person for us to recognize today than Ruby Bridges. I want to thank her
for her courage,
[[Page H437]]
her determination, and the work she is doing today to help students
across our great Nation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution,
H. Res. 901.
Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res.
901, a resolution to recognize November 14, 2009 as the 49th
anniversary of the first day of integrated schools in New Orleans,
Louisiana. I urge my colleagues to support this meaningful and
important resolution.
In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools violated the
equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. On November 14, 1960,
Ruby Bridges, at the age of six, became the first African American
student to attend an all-white school in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ruby
Bridges attended William Frantz Elementary School every day, despite
riots and protests. Ruby was taught by Barbara Henry in a classroom
with no other students. Sadly, due to her efforts to educate young
Ruby, Ms. Henry was not invited back to teach at William Frantz
Elementary school after that year. In 1999, Ruby Bridges established
the Ruby Bridges Foundation that fights racism and works to improve
society by sharing the experiences of Ruby Bridges.
Of course the need to integrate schools was not unique to New
Orleans. The University Of Georgia, UGA, was a segregated school until
1961. UGA had strict admissions requirements--such as requiring
personal recommendations from alumni, all of whom were white--in order
to block African Americans from being admitted. In 1960, Charlayne
Hunter and Hamilton Holmes applied to UGA. They were more than
qualified for admission. Holmes was valedictorian of his high school
and senior class president. Hunter finished third in her graduating
class and edited the school paper. The University rejected their
applications, providing a number of different--and ultimately false--
reasons for denying their admission. On January 6, 1961, federal judge
William A. Bootle found that ``the two plaintiffs are fully qualified
for immediate admission, and would already have been admitted if not
for their race and color.'' This ruling became national news and the
students were admitted and met on registration day by protests. On the
third evening after their registration, a large group of students
showed up outside of their residence and began hurling bricks and
bottles before being dispersed by police. After this incident, the Dean
of Students then told them that he was withdrawing them from admission
for ``their own safety.'' This decision was quickly overruled by a
court order after over 400 faculty members signed a resolution to bring
them back. Holmes graduated from UGA and earned a medical degree from
Emory University in Georgia. Hunter graduated with a degree in
journalism and worked for the New York Times, PBS, and CNN.
Thanks to the courage of these individuals and many others like them,
we are now as close to full integration as we have ever been, and
continue to gain ground on that ultimate goal.
As President Obama recently stated during his unveiling of his new
budget proposal, ``the most important tool to combat poverty is a world
class education.'' Prior to November 14, 1960, African Americans were a
long way from having the opportunity to receive a world class
education. Although the desegregation of schools did not instantly give
African Americans a high quality education, it was the first step in a
long battle for equality in educational opportunities. Without the
events that took place on November 14, 1960, and the bravery of Ruby
Bridges, Barbara Henry, Hamilton Holmes, and Charlayne Hunter, we would
not be where we are today in relation to educational equality for
African Americans. As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, I urge
my colleagues to support this resolution.
Ms. FUDGE. I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Fudge) that the House suspend the rules and
agree to the resolution, H. Res. 901, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be
postponed.
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