[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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