[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E248]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE LIFE AND SACRIFICE OF MEDGAR EVARS AND CELEBRATING THE 
     UNITED STATES NAVY FOR NAMING A SUPPLY SHIP AFTER MEDGAR EVARS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2010

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 
1022, which honors the life and sacrifice of Medgar Evars, recognizes 
the important role he played in progressing the cause of civil rights, 
and congratulates the United States Navy for honoring him with the 
naming of the United States naval ship Medgar Evars. H. Res. 1022 is an 
important measure that pays tribute to an individual who sacrificed his 
life fighting for the core American values of equality and civil 
rights.
  I thank Chairmen Conyers for his leadership in bringing this bill to 
the floor. I would also like to thank the author of this legislation, 
Congressman Hank Johnson, who has taken the time to remember the 
invaluable work of Medgar Evars and to celebrate the United States 
Navy's efforts to honor this American hero.
  Medgar Evars was born in 1925 in Decatur, Mississippi. Growing up in 
the heart of the segregated South, Medgar Evars experienced the worst 
of racial oppression. Still, in 1943, he volunteered to serve his 
country in World War II, and fought valiantly with the United States 
Army in the Battle of Normandy.
  After fighting overseas for the cause of freedom and democracy, 
Medgar Evars returned home to a segregated country as a second-class 
citizen. He dedicated himself to activism, working tirelessly for the 
cause of racial equality on behalf of the National Association for the 
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). As a result of his activism, 
Medgar Evars was the target of numerous death threats and assassination 
attempts. But his bravery and dedication knew no bounds and he 
continued his important work until he was tragically murdered on June 
12, 1963.
  It is entirely fitting that we honor Medgar Evars, who in his life as 
well as his death, helped move our country out of a time of oppression 
and segregation and into an era of greater tolerance and equality.
  It is equally fitting that the United States Navy has chosen to honor 
Medgar Evars with the naming of the United States naval ship Medgar 
Evars. This ship, a Lewis and Clark class dry cargo ship, is a state-
of-the-art vessel that will provide essential logistics support to Navy 
operations around the world. Just as Medgar Evars helped bring our 
nation racial reconciliation, the United States naval ship Medgar Evars 
will help the Navy to promote peace and conflict resolution throughout 
the world. This ship is one more way in which the life and sacrifice of 
Medgar Evars will continue to serve as a beacon of equality.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 
1022.

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