[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H2443-H2444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HARDER YET MAY BE THE FIGHT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, many years ago I heard Dr. 
Benjamin Hooks, who at the time was the executive director of the 
National NAACP, proclaim in the words of C.A. Tinsley, ``Harder yet may 
be the fight.'' I thought I understood what he meant at the time; 
however, events as of late have provided additional occularity and 
given me greater clarity with reference to this statement, ``Harder yet 
may be the fight.''
  First, a brief vignette. On Sunday, prior to voting on the health 
care bill that was signed by the President, as I was leaving the Cannon 
Office Building, I had a friend to share with me what was thought to be 
some sage advice. My friend indicated that it might be prudent--not 
necessarily in these words--or judicious to make my way to the Capitol 
Building by way of the tunnel because there were persons who were 
saying ugly things and doing ugly things in the area that I would have 
to traverse.
  I thought. And as I thought, I reflected on Rosa Parks, a lone 
African American female in the segregated South, who concluded on one 
evening that she was going to stand up for justice and do what was 
right by taking a seat on a bus. And little did she know that, by 
taking that seat, she would ignite a spark that would start a civil 
rights movement. I would add that it was Virginia Durr, an Anglo 
female, who posted the bail for Rosa Parks to get out of jail.
  I reflected on 1965 and what we now know as Bloody Sunday, when there

[[Page H2444]]

were persons who wanted to peacefully march from Selma to Montgomery, 
and they knew that as they crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge there were 
members of the constabulary waiting on the other side of the bridge 
prepared to do them harm under the color of law. And they did. I would 
also remind us that it was Frank Johnson, an Anglo Federal judge, who 
signed the law that allowed the march to continue. He signed an order.
  And as I reflected on these incidents, I realized that if Rosa Parks 
could take that seat by herself, surely I could cross that street and 
come over to vote. And I realized that if those marchers, including 
John Lewis, could march into the constabulary armed with clubs, I could 
surely cross that street with a constabulary out to protect me.
  And so I bring these thoughts to the attention of this House because 
this truly is a fight. C.A. Tinsley was right. The fight is not yet 
over. Harder yet may be the fight. But I want to commend those persons 
of good will who have stood up and spoken up against the behavior that 
was exhibited by the persons who were out on the streets. I commend 
every person, Republican, Democrat. It doesn't matter your party 
affiliation. This kind of behavior merits condemnation.
  I would simply close with this. As we move forward and as these kinds 
of ugly incidents take place, I beg that we would continue to condemn 
this behavior, because C.A. Tinsley was right:
  Harder yet may be the fight. Might may often yield to right. 
Wickedness awhile may seem to reign, and Satan's cause may seem to 
gain. But there's a God that rules above, with a hand of power and a 
heart of love. And when we're right, he will help us fight. Harder yet 
may be the fight.

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