Congressional Record, Volume 156 Issue 90 (Wednesday, June 16, 2010)

[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 16, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H4543-H4546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

HONORING THE NAACP ON ITS 101ST ANNIVERSARY

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 242) honoring and praising the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the
occasion of its 101st anniversary.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

H. Con. Res. 242

Whereas the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People (referred to in this resolution as the
``NAACP''), originally known as the National Negro Committee,
was founded in New York City on February 12, 1909, the
centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, by a multiracial group
of activists who met in a national conference to discuss the
civil and political rights of African-Americans;
Whereas the NAACP was founded by a distinguished group of
leaders in the struggle for civil and political liberty,
including Ida Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Henry Moscowitz,
Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villard, and William
English Walling;
Whereas the NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights
organization in the United States;
Whereas the NAACP National Headquarters is located in
Baltimore, Maryland;
Whereas the mission of the NAACP is to ensure the
political, educational, social, and economic equality of
rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and
racial discrimination;
Whereas the NAACP is committed to achieving its goals
through nonviolence;
Whereas the NAACP advances its mission through reliance
upon the press, the petition, the ballot, and the courts, and
has been persistent in the use of legal and moral persuasion,
even in the face of overt and violent racial hostility;
Whereas the NAACP has used political pressure, marches,
demonstrations, and effective lobbying to serve as the voice,
as well as the shield, for minority Americans;
Whereas after years of fighting segregation in public
schools, the NAACP, under the leadership of Special Counsel
Thurgood Marshall, won one of its greatest legal victories in
the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education,
347 U.S. 483 (1954);
Whereas in 1955, NAACP member Rosa Parks was arrested and
fined for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in
Montgomery, Alabama--an act of courage that would serve as
the catalyst for the largest grassroots civil rights movement
in the history of the United States;
Whereas the NAACP was prominent in lobbying for the passage
of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, and 1964, the Voting
Rights Act of 1965, the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, Coretta
Scott King, Cesar E. Chavez, Barbara C. Jordan, William C.
Velasquez, and Dr. Hector P. Garcia Voting Rights Act
Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006, and the Fair
Housing Act, laws that ensured Government protection for
legal victories achieved;
Whereas in 2005, the NAACP launched the Disaster Relief
Fund to help survivors in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas,
Florida, and Alabama to rebuild their lives;
Whereas in the 110th Congress, the NAACP was prominent in
lobbying for the passage of H. Res. 826, whose resolved
clause expresses that: (1) the hanging of nooses is a
horrible

[[Page H4544]]

act when used for the purpose of intimidation and which under
certain circumstances can be criminal; (2) this conduct
should be investigated thoroughly by Federal authorities; and
(3) any criminal violations should be vigorously prosecuted;
Whereas in 2008, the NAACP vigorously supported the passage
of the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007, a
law that puts additional Federal resources into solving the
heinous crimes that occurred in the early days of the civil
rights struggle that remain unsolved and bringing those who
perpetrated such crimes to justice;
Whereas the NAACP has helped usher in the new millennium by
charting a bold course, beginning with the appointment of the
organization's youngest President and Chief Executive
Officer, Benjamin Todd Jealous, and by outlining a strategic
plan to confront 21st century challenges in the critical
areas of health, education, housing, criminal justice, and
environment; and
Whereas, on July 16, 2009, the NAACP celebrated its
centennial anniversary in New York City, highlighting an
extraordinary century of Bold Dreams, Big Victories with a
historic address from the first African-American president of
the United States, Barack Obama: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) recognizes the 101st anniversary of the historic
founding of the National Association for the Advancement of
Colored People; and
(2) honors and praises the National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its
anniversary for its work to ensure the political,
educational, social, and economic equality of all persons.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.

General Leave

Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Tennessee?
There was no objection.
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, House Concurrent Resolution 242 honors one of our
Nation's oldest and most esteemed civil rights organizations, the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, known as
the NAACP, also known as the conscience of the United States Congress.
This year, the NAACP celebrates its 101st anniversary, and its
ongoing efforts to promote justice and equality for all Americans; not
just Americans of color, but all Americans.
I salute the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green) the sponsor of this
resolution, and the former president of the Houston branch of the
NAACP, for his continued commitment to recognizing the NAACP for its
historical and contemporary civil rights contributions.
As we celebrate the Nation's preeminent civil rights organization on
its 101st anniversary, I would like to reflect on a few bits of history
concerning the NAACP.
First, I would like to acknowledge its history which began February
12, 1909, when the organization was formed by Ida Wells-Barnett, W.E.B.
DuBois, Henry Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villiard,
and William English Walling, a biracial group that consisted of
Christians and Jews.
It is a history that includes some of the most significant moments in
our Nation's great story where we come to a more perfect union, like
the 1954 case of Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, the landmark
Supreme Court case that ended the separate but equal fallacies that our
government and laws labored under, and chief counsel was Thurgood
Marshall, later one of the great justices of our Supreme Court.
The NAACP's contributions also have included support for and rallying
and lobbying for the 1957, 1960, and 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1965
Voting Rights Act and the 1968 Fair Housing Act where Clarence Mitchell
led the way with the NAACP. And of course the court case that the NAACP
was involved in, Loving v. Virginia, which turned over the
miscegenation laws in this country in 1967, an aberrant set of laws
that are precursors to other laws that still are in debate in this
Nation today.
But the fight didn't end there; which brings me to my second point.
Today, we are reminded of the NAACP's mission, to ensure equality of
rights of all persons, and to eliminate racial hatred and racial
discrimination. It is as important and relevant as it was decades ago.
Just this year, a hate crimes law was passed that ensured that there
was not discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, or other distinguishing characteristics, and the NAACP was
there in great support.
The NAACP is engaged in battles on multiple fronts on its 101st
anniversary. Its dedicated team is leading the charge in addressing
issues that disproportionately impact communities of color. The NAACP
advocates for equality in education, influences the debate on
environmental justice, works to end disparities in the criminal justice
system, racial profiling and other types of injustices.
In addition, the NAACP is working to prevent families from losing
their piece of the American dream during this housing crisis, by
working with financial institutions to change the mortgage lending
practices that helped bring on this crisis. They are party to a lawsuit
against Wells Fargo in Baltimore County, Maryland, and also in Memphis,
Tennessee. Improving fair credit access, supporting sustainable home
ownership, and promoting financial literacy for disadvantaged
communities are among their other great priorities.
The NAACP was supportive of the resolution that the 110th Congress
passed, for the first time in our Nation's history apologizing for
slavery and Jim Crow laws, and to make clear that the vestiges of Jim
Crow and slavery would be affected by the future Congresses.
Today's commemoration of the NAACP's 101st anniversary occurs as the
organization prepares for its convention, ``One Nation, One Dream,'' in
Kansas City, Missouri, on July 10-15. At that time, hundreds of NAACP
members and leaders will consider bold and innovative approaches to
tackling the challenges we face in the 21st century.
Among those leaders will be President Benjamin Todd Jealous, present
Chairwoman Roslyn Brock, former Chairman Julian Bond, Washington Bureau
Director Hilary Shelton, and Detroit Branch President Wendell Anthony,
who have exhibited fearless dedication to build on the NAACP's great
legacy. This legacy includes many great heroes, such as Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., of whom a bust is in our Capitol Rotunda; Coretta
Scott King, his widow; Rosa Parks; Medgar Evers; Benjamin Hooks; and
many others. I must mention some great leaders from my hometown of
Memphis: Vasoc and Maxine Smith; Jesse Turner, Sr.; Jesse Turner; Jr.;
Russell Sugarman; A.W. Willis; Johnny Turner; and others.
Their unwavering commitment to protect and promote civil rights for
all Americans is a proud tradition that the NAACP continues today. I am
a life member of the NAACP, and proud of it. I encourage others to
support the NAACP in their efforts to make the American dream true for
all. I congratulate the NAACP on its 101st milestone, and I urge my
colleagues to support this important resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, this resolution recognizes the 101st anniversary of the
founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People. This resolution also praises the NAACP for its work to secure
the political, educational, social and economic equality of all
persons.
The NAACP was founded on February 12, 1909, in New York City. It was
the centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The NAACP is the oldest and
largest civil rights organization in the United States today.
In 1913, the NAACP organized opposition to racial segregation in
Federal Government offices. The NAACP also played a key role in
securing the rights of African Americans to serve as officers in World
War I. Throughout the past century, the NAACP has worked to achieve
equality of rights for all persons through nonviolence. The NAACP's
mission also includes the elimination of racial hatred and racial
discrimination.
After World War I, for example, the NAACP expended significant
resources

[[Page H4545]]

in an effort to combat the lynching of African Americans throughout the
United States. The NAACP centered its efforts around education and
lobbying for legislation.
In later years, the NAACP's leadership was instrumental in bringing
about the passage of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960 and 1964; the
Voting Rights Act of 1965; and the desegregation of public schools in
Brown v. Board of Education in 1954.
The NAACP continues to work on behalf of this worthy mission for the
rights of all people today.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
I have no further requests for time, and I yield back the balance of
my time.
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Al Green), the sponsor of this resolution and
the former president of the Houston branch of the NAACP.
Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I especially want to thank the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) for working with us on this
resolution. I especially want to thank the ranking member, Mr. Smith,
for his working with us on the resolution, and I also want to give an
extra special thanks to Mr. Sensenbrenner because the first time we
introduced this resolution he was the chairman of the Judiciary
Committee, and he was very helpful not only up front in helping me with
the resolution, but also behind the scenes making sure that we got the
resolution through the House. Mr. Sensenbrenner, I will be forever
grateful to you.
Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to present this resolution because
the NAACP stands for what America stands for, and that is liberty and
justice for all.
The NAACP was founded in 1909, as was indicated, by a diverse group
of Americans. It is important to note that the NAACP has always been an
integrated organization. From its inception, it has been an integrated
organization.

{time} 1330

While I applaud all that has been done by the African Americans who
have been a part of the NAACP, I have to also make mention of the many
other persons who are not African Americans, because we simply did not
get here by ourselves. There were persons of good will of all
ethnicities who have been of benefit to us to help us have these
opportunities that we have today. So today we want to thank persons who
were members of the NAACP at its inception, but also persons who helped
to bring the NAACP along the way.
James Weldon Johnson was the first African American executive
secretary of the NAACP. But it's important to note that prior to his
becoming the first, there were five other executive secretaries, none
of whom were African American.
It's important to note that the NAACP accords an award annually. It
is known as the Spingarn Medal. This is given to a person who has made
great achievements in the area of helping the human rights and civil
rights struggle. It is important to note that the Spingarn Medal is
named after Joel Spingarn. The Spingarn family was a great contributor
to the NAACP. In fact, Thurgood Marshall was a great litigator in part
because of other persons who made contributions to the NAACP. They were
great contributors, and as a result we had this litigation to go
forward. The NAACP is an organization that welcomes anyone who desires
to be a part of the fight for human dignity and human freedom.
I believe that the NAACP merits this special expression from the
Congress of the United States of America, and I also believe that we
should thank Senator Dodd, because he has the Senate Concurrent
Resolution No. 3 that has 15 Senators who have signed onto it, and that
will hopefully pass the Senate.
I am asking all of my colleagues to please support this legislation
because the NAACP made it possible for us to sleep where we sleep,
because of Shelley v. Kraemer and Barrows v. Jackson. It allows us to
eat where we eat because of Brown v. Board of Education and other cases
associated with it. So, literally, we live where we live, we sleep
where we sleep, and we eat where we eat because of the NAACP. It has
earned the right to be recognized by the Congress of the United States
of America, and I beg that my colleagues would support this resolution.
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the work of Congressman Green
from Houston. And when I look at him and I look at Mr. Smith, I think
about my weekend trip this past weekend. I went to Austin, Texas. And
when I was in Austin, I was at the Barbara Jordan Airport, and in the
baggage area on the ground floor, there is a statue of Barbara Jordan
in her regal splendor. And what a great member of the NAACP she was,
and what a great American.
Ms. Watson requests some time. I would be pleased if she would
contribute. I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman.
Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, and to the authors and cosponsors of this
resolution, I just want to add to the testimony that you have already
heard in support of this resolution commending the NAACP, that many of
us would not be here if not for the work and the support of others of
the NAACP.
I am a case in point. I remember being elected as the first African
American woman to the second largest school board in the United States,
that's LA Unified School District, and in the California State Senate
as the first ever. And I was so proud that members came to me to show
me their membership in the NAACP.
I then knew that the work that was done over 100 years ago was of
such vision for the future of this country, and particularly my State
of California, the largest in the Union, and the first State to be a
majority of minorities, that that vision, that hard work, that
dedication brought about justice so that the State of California and
the United States of America could be reflective of who we are as a
people. The justice, the fairness, the freedom, the liberty all came
about for people like me because of this organization and others who
supported it.
So I am pleased, I am pleasured, and I do hope that all men and women
of fair mindedness with division will support wholeheartedly this
resolution.
Thank you, Congressman.
Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, for over 100 years the mission of
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
has been to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic
equality of rights for all people, as well as to eliminate racial
hatred and racial discrimination. This organization has always
envisioned a society where all barriers of racial discrimination are
removed through the democratic processes, as well as to ensure equality
for all Americans. Throughout the past 101 years, the NAACP has
faithfully adhered to its mission.
Founded on February 12, 1909, President Lincoln's 100th birthday, the
NAACP is the nation's oldest and most recognized grassroots-based civil
rights organization. It was established in response to the lynchings
that were committed against blacks throughout the country. Today, the
NAACP's more than half-million members and supporters are still the
premier advocates for civil rights and equality in their respective
communities.
Over the last century, the talents of the NAACP's collective
membership have enabled it to overcome numerous adversities and
obstacles. After 101 years of setbacks and successes, this organization
currently bears witness to numerous advancements that may not have been
made possible if it were not for the collective voices and willpower of
NAACP supporters past and present.
It is hard to imagine where our country would be today if it had not
been for the courageous men and women in the NAACP who risked their
lives and livelihoods in order to promote equality.
It is hard to imagine where this country would be if the NAACP had
not tirelessly fought for improved equality for African-Americans.
It is hard to imagine where this great country would be if it were
not for the courageous men and women who fought to promote the rights
of everyone, regardless of the color of their skin.
Indeed, it is hard to imagine our country without the NAACP. My own
life would not be the same if it were not for those individuals who
stood up for equality and sought to form a more perfect union.
I want to congratulate the NAACP on its 101 years of service to our
country and for all of its many accomplishments. I urge my colleagues
to support this resolution.
Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I'm a proud lifelong member of the NAACP, and
today I join my colleagues in celebrating its 101st anniversary.

[[Page H4546]]

The Monterey County Branch of the NAACP was created in 1932. Our
chapter now ranks as one of the largest per capita branches in the
United States and has been active in education and law--and we're all
better for it. In 1947, the Fort Ord Army training base in Seaside,
CA--one of the largest bases in the U.S.--was the first military base
in the United States to be integrated.
As we recognize the great achievements of one of America's finest
organizations, let us not forget that the struggle continues. Our
country was founded on the ideal of equality for all, with the self-
evident right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The
mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social,
and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial
hatred and racial discrimination.
I want to thank the NAACP for 101 years of hard work. You've made
America a stronger and better nation. I especially want to thank my
constituent, Ben Jealous, now the youngest national president of the
NAACP. Your work continues, but we congratulate you on this historic
day.
Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) that the House suspend the rules
and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 242.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. COHEN. 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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