[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 110 (Monday, July 26, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6014-H6017]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1630
       RECOGNIZING 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF ``TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD''

  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to

[[Page H6015]]

the resolution (H. Res. 1525) honoring the 50th anniversary of the 
publication of ``To Kill a Mockingbird'', a classic American novel 
authored by Nelle Harper Lee of Monroeville, Alabama.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1525

       Whereas Nelle Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926, to 
     Amasa Coleman Lee and Frances Finch in Monroeville, Alabama;
       Whereas Nelle Harper Lee wrote the novel ``To Kill a 
     Mockingbird'' portraying life in the 1930s in the fictional 
     small southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, which was modeled on 
     Ms. Lee's hometown of Monroeville, Alabama;
       Whereas ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' addressed the issue of 
     racial inequality in the United States by revealing the 
     humanity of a community grappling with moral conflict;
       Whereas ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' was first published in 
     1960 and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1961;
       Whereas ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' was the basis for the 
     1962 Oscar-winning film of the same name starring Gregory 
     Peck;
       Whereas ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' is one of the great 
     American novels of the 20th century, having been published in 
     more than 40 languages and having sold over 30 million 
     copies;
       Whereas in 2007, Nelle Harper Lee was inducted into the 
     American Academy of Arts and Letters;
       Whereas in 2007, President George W. Bush awarded the 
     Presidential Medal of Freedom to Nelle Harper Lee for her 
     great contributions to literature and observed `` `To Kill a 
     Mockingbird' has influenced the character of our country for 
     the better'' and ``As a model of good writing and humane 
     sensibility, this book will be read and studied forever''; 
     and
       Whereas ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' is celebrated each year 
     in Monroeville, Alabama, through annual public performances 
     featuring local amateur actors: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the historic milestone of the 50th 
     anniversary of the publication of ``To Kill a Mockingbird''; 
     and
       (2) honors Nelle Harper Lee for her outstanding achievement 
     in the field of American literature in authoring ``To Kill a 
     Mockingbird''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from Alabama 
(Mr. Bonner) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.
  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the Committee on Oversight 
and Government Reform, I am pleased to present H. Res. 1525 for 
consideration. This measure honors the 50th anniversary of the 
publication of ``To Kill a Mockingbird.''
  H. Res. 1525 was introduced by our colleague, Representative Jo 
Bonner of Alabama, on July 15, 2010. It was referred to the Committee 
on Oversight and Government Reform, which waived consideration of the 
measure in order to expedite its consideration on the floor today. It 
enjoys the bipartisan support of over 80 cosponsors.
  Madam Speaker, ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' is one of the greatest works 
of 20th century American literature. The novel has sold over 30 million 
copies in its 50-year history and remains a staple in classrooms all 
over the country. For years, students have studied this coming-of-age 
tale, giving teachers the opportunity to facilitate frank discussions 
of its dark and challenging scenes.
  The story deals with difficult issues of injustice and racial 
prejudice, but also provides an uplifting portrayal of courage, 
morality, and human decency. In particular, Atticus Finch continues to 
serve as a moral hero for many readers, as well as a model of integrity 
for the legal profession. Notably, in 1997, the Alabama State Bar 
erected a monument to the character in Harper Lee's hometown of 
Monroeville outside their historic Old Courthouse.
  The novel is set in the 1930s, but it is closely associated with the 
civil rights movement, and some scholars believe some of the events and 
characters of the novel are based on events and figures from that very 
movement. The novel is a product of that period in our Nation's history 
in which we began to make serious progress addressing racial inequality 
and injustice. The hope, courage, and morality that the novel inspired 
during the civil rights movement helped motivate leaders to support it, 
bringing national attention to these difficult issues through the eyes 
of the narrator, a young child.
  Harper Lee has won many awards for ``To Kill a Mockingbird,'' 
including the Pulitzer Prize in 1961, after 41 weeks on the bestseller 
list. Lee was named to the National Council on the Arts by President 
Johnson in 1966, inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2001, 
received an honorary doctorate from the University of Notre Dame in 
2006, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President 
Bush in 2007.
  Her novel's impact on the world will be felt for generations to come 
as people around the country and around the world continue to read, 
study, and learn from the work.
  Madam Speaker, let us now take the time to honor Harper Lee and her 
classic American novel through the passage of H. Res. 1525.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Res. 1525, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from the District of Columbia for 
her assistance today as well, as we bring this American classic to the 
floor of the House of Representatives.
  On behalf of my colleagues in the Alabama delegation, Mr. Aderholt, 
Mr. Bachus, Mr. Bright, Mr. Davis, Dr. Griffith, and Mr. Rogers--as 
well as our two United States Senators from Alabama, Senator Shelby and 
Senator Sessions--I am extremely proud to rise today in support of 
House Resolution 1525, honoring the 50th anniversary of the publication 
of a truly great American novel, ``To Kill a Mockingbird.''
  It was 50 years ago this month when Nelle Harper Lee of Monroeville 
penned what is today considered one of the most beloved American 
stories of all time.
  Before I speak further about Ms. Lee and her masterpiece, however, 
I'd like to take just a minute to thank Chairman Towns and Ranking 
Member Issa of the Oversight and Government Reform Committee and their 
staffs for working with my staff and me to get this resolution brought 
to the House floor before Congress breaks for the August district work 
period. If approved, I hope to present a copy of this resolution to the 
people of Monroe County when I return home later this week.
  I would also like to thank the Speaker of the House, the majority 
leader, and the majority whip, Mr. Hoyer and Mr. Clyburn, as well as 
the minority leader, Mr. Boehner, and minority whip, Mr. Cantor, not to 
mention all of the other Members of Congress who have cosponsored this 
resolution, for their encouragement and support in finding an 
appropriate way to honor Ms. Lee, her family, as well as the wonderful 
people of Monroeville, Alabama, a town of approximately 7,000 people, 
which I am proud to say I represent in Alabama's First Congressional 
District.
  Without a doubt, the people of Monroeville and Monroe County all join 
with me and this body as we will celebrate this proud moment. For as 
people all across America know, Monroeville provided the real-life 
setting for the fictional town of Maycomb, where the story of ``To Kill 
a Mockingbird'' comes to life.
  Madam Speaker, I am pleased to offer this resolution, which also 
honors the remarkable achievements of a Pulitzer Prize-winning south 
Alabama author, whose words have not only inspired generations, but in 
a very real way have helped to change our Nation and the world for the 
better.
  Born on April 28, 1926, to A.C. and Frances Finch Lee, Nelle Harper 
completed her first and only novel in 1960. In fact, it appeared for 
the very first time on July 11 of that year. Upon its publication, 
Nelle, as she is affectionately known to her family and close friends, 
reportedly remarked that she hoped that her book would win some 
encouragement for what was a budding writing career. Fifty years later, 
it is safe to say that her hopes have been more than realized.
  In many ways, Harper Lee could not have foreseen that her brilliantly 
worded prose would one day become a literary beacon for equality and 
justice, not to mention an inspiration for the advancement of civil 
rights all across our land. Not only would ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' 
become one of the great books of the 20th century, but the 1962 movie 
version, starring Gregory Peck, has been immortalized in celluloid. In

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fact, the courtroom interior shown in the movie is the exact replica of 
the interior of the Old Monroe County Courthouse, which people can 
visit today, and is part of the Monroe County Heritage Museum.
  For her efforts, Ms. Lee's book won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 
1961. Today, as the gentlelady from the District of Columbia pointed 
out, ``Mockingbird'' has sold more than 30 million copies and has been 
published in more than 40 different languages.
  In survey after survey asking which one book civilized people should 
read, ``To Kill a Mockingbird'' routinely finishes second only to the 
Holy Bible. And the movie, which premiered in 1962, won three Oscars, 
including best actor for Mr. Peck, who brought the character of Atticus 
Finch to life.
  We know the characters as though they lived just down the street from 
us. There is Scout, Ms. Lee's 6-year-old narrator, as well as her 
father, Atticus, who held every one of us with each word as he paced 
the courtroom floor while delivering his impassioned argument in 
defense of Tom Robinson. How many young lawyers today credit Atticus 
Finch with inspiring them to go into law? There is Scout's older 
brother, Jem; their housekeeper, Calpurnia; their neighbor Dill; and, 
of course, Tom Robinson, the black man who was wrongly accused of rape.

                              {time}  1640

  Madam Speaker, this month as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of 
``To Kill a Mockingbird,'' we also use this fitting occasion to honor 
the remarkable life of its author, Harper Lee.
  The people of Monroeville have warmly embraced Miss Lee's legacy by 
staging annual public performances of her famous book to the delight of 
audiences in Monroeville and throughout the south, as well as at the 
Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.--not to mention standing-room only 
crowds in England and Israel.
  In fact, just a few weeks ago, Monroeville hosted a special 50th 
anniversary tribute to Ms. Lee and her famous novel, attracting 
admiring fans from all across the country. A half century after the ink 
has dried on this first edition of ``To Kill a Mockingbird,'' its pages 
still call to our better instincts of decency and fairness to our 
fellow man, while reminding us that prejudice, though too common, must 
continue to be confronted.
  On a personal note, I was honored to attend the 2007 White House 
ceremony during which Nelle Harper Lee was presented the Presidential 
Medal of Freedom--America's highest civilian honor--by President George 
W. Bush. In presenting this award to Ms. Lee, the President noted ``To 
Kill a Mockingbird'' has influenced the character of our country for 
the better. It's been a gift to the entire world. As a model of good 
writing and humane sensibility, this book will be read and studied 
forever. After the medal ceremony in the East Room and after a brief 
reception in the State Dining Room, I was truly touched as people stood 
literally the length of the White House--including some of the other 
recipients of the award ceremony that day--just for the opportunity to 
thank Ms. Lee for her gift to mankind.
  And in a moment that I will truly never forget, I remember as the 
ceremony was winding down standing next to Ms. Lee in the foyer of the 
White House while the conductor of the President's own, the United 
States Marine Band, led the orchestra in the musical score from the 
opening credits of the movie, ``To Kill a Mockingbird,'' by Elmer 
Bernstein.
  There were few dry eyes in the White House that afternoon, and it was 
a fitting close to a spectacular day.
  Madam Speaker, here on the 50th anniversary of ``To Kill a 
Mockingbird,'' the people of Monroeville, Monroe County, and all the 
people across Alabama could not be more proud of our favorite daughter 
and her lasting legacy.
  To Miss Nelle, her sister Miss Alice, and the many others who helped 
inspire this story, America offers our warmest congratulations and love 
on this special occasion. And no doubt for the generation to come that 
will also be touched and inspired by this timeless story, we have a 
special word of thanks for the gift that has never stopped giving.
  Madam Speaker, I urge all of the Members to support H. Res. 1525.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, one further word on this resolution.
  I commend the gentleman from Alabama for coming forward with this 
resolution honoring Harper Lee, who is perhaps one of the most-esteemed 
constituents he or any before him have had in his home State. Harper 
Lee's novel teaches us something about the American novel and indeed 
about fiction throughout human time: that fiction often tells us what 
history books cannot convey. This is what Harper Lee managed to do at a 
time when writing about her subject was anything but popular literature 
until she had put it on paper, in which case, it rose out of her skill 
to be embraced by the American people and many across the world.
  This book is very interesting because it is a product of a very 
distinct era in American history and life, and yet the novel continues 
to reverberate and inspire our very different era, an era revising 
itself from that era. Unadulterated racial prejudice of a kind 
described in this novel has abated. It certainly is no longer openly 
celebrated as it once was.
  Yet, what Harper Lee writes about has left a mark so deep in American 
history that it will never be entirely erased. That's why the novel 
continues to speak to us. It's not that we believe anything like what 
she writes about is what we find in American courtrooms, even in the 
old South today. It is that it reminds us of the distance we have come 
and for many the distance we have to go.
  Harper Lee, it is said over and over again, wrote this one great 
novel. My response is if you write this novel, you never need to write 
another single novel. You have said it perhaps all for yourself, and in 
many ways she said it all for that era in our country.
  Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to express my 
support for House Resolution 1525, honoring the 50th anniversary of the 
publication of To Kill A Mockingbird, a classic American novel authored 
by Nelle Harper Lee of Monroeville, Alabama. I would also like to 
commend my colleague, Representative Jo Bonner and all of the 
cosponsors of this legislation. Your support for H. Res. 1525 ensures 
that our nation continues to recognize the importance of this landmark 
novel which examines both race relations and the human condition in the 
United States.
  In 1960 Nelle Harper Lee published To Kill A Mockingbird, a novel 
that would soon transform the character of our nation and play a major 
influence in the discussion of race relations. Her novel focused on a 
small, rural Alabama town riveted by prejudice. Her novel served as a 
commentary on the tense and unequal relations between blacks and whites 
in the South. As a Representative for the state of Georgia I am 
constantly aware of the history of the state that I represent. I 
recognize that prior to the Civil Rights Movement the conditions in my 
district were similar to those described in Harper Lee's novel. I also 
recognize that her novel served as a catalyst for the national 
conversation on racial injustice during the Civil Rights Movement.
  Harper Lee produced a controversial novel during the height of racial 
tension in the 1960s, and for that she deserves to be commended and her 
work should be forever praised, studied, and read by all. In 2007, 
President George W. Bush awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to 
Nelle Harper Lee for her great contributions to literature and observed 
the positive influence her work has had on the character of our 
country. The novel was also proclaimed as a model of good writing and 
human sensibility.
  Madam Speaker, on the 50th anniversary of To Kill A Mockingbird I 
urge all of my colleagues to support this resolution. The story is an 
American story and it deserves to be recognized. Today we honor the 
remarkable achievement of Nelle Harper Lee and her novel To Kill A 
Mockingbird.
  I ask the gentleman if he has any other speakers.
  Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Madam Speaker, I would again like to urge my colleagues 
to join me in honoring Harper Lee and her novel through the passage of 
H. Res. 1525.
  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 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House

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suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1525.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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