[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1185-E1186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE NAACP ON ITS 101ST ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 2010

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 101st 
anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored 
People, NAACP, which was founded on February 12, 1909. Throughout its 
existence, the NAACP has faithfully promoted equality in all areas of 
American society, from suffrage and public accommodation to justice in 
our Nation's courts and equality in employment.
  For nearly a century, the NAACP has pressed for an inclusive American 
society, one that would grant all people the equality they deserve, 
regardless of the shade or color of their skin. The NAACP's principled 
efforts towards the advancement of people who were long denied their 
rightful place at work, school, and the ballot box have continued to 
come to fruition with the Civil Rights Acts, the Fair Housing Act, and 
other breakthroughs in the establishment of justice and quality in this 
country.
  A key component of the success of the NAACP has been the 
implementation of a nonviolent approach to achieve equality and 
justice. Its efforts include the promotion of understanding and 
education, to the eradication of race and other problems that have long 
plagued our society. The NAACP has helped put students through college, 
give the vote back to the voiceless, and ensure that the American 
people will not continue to be divided by differences, but rather be 
brought together by mutual compassion and kinship.
  The mission of the NAACP continues today and the Saint Paul Branch of 
the NAACP continues to work towards equality, education and justice for 
all. My local NAACP chapter is well known for its tireless work 
addressing the injustices affecting individuals and the diverse 
communities of Minnesota.
  It is with great admiration that I commend the NAACP on this occasion 
of their 101st anniversary. The necessity of the continued push for 
equality and justice for all citizens presents a great burden that we 
bear collectively, but the work of groups such as the NAACP gives our 
society the necessary guidance and reminder of our responsibilities 
towards one another.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in paying tribute to the courageous and 
guiding history of the National Association for the Advancement of 
Colored People on this day of their 101st anniversary.
    

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