[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 25, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E109-E110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE 110TH ANNIVERSARY OF GEORGE HENRY WHITE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 25, 2011

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition of George Henry 
White Day being held in Tarboro, North Carolina on Saturday, January 
29, 2011. That day will mark the 110th anniversary of Congressman 
George Henry White's famous farewell speech Floor of the United States 
House of Representatives.
  Born on December 18, 1853, George Henry White was the only African 
American in Congress when he was elected in 1896 and reelected in 1898. 
He was the last African American elected to Congress from the post-
Civil War era.
  George Henry White left Congress in 1901, and it would be almost 30 
years before another African American would be elected to Congress. 
And, as we know, no blacks were elected to Congress from the South 
until 1972; well after the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965.
  George Henry White was a strong and gifted speaker, who often 
condemned the harsh and brutal treatment of blacks in the South and 
introduced the first anti-lynching legislation in Congress.
  In 2002, the Tarboro Town Council approved a resolution declaring 
January 29 as the annual George Henry White Day in Tarboro. In 2003, 
the Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners approved a similar 
resolution declaring January 29 as the annual George Henry White Day in 
Edgecombe County.
  On June 25, 2004, the Tarboro Post Office was officially named the 
George Henry White Post Office Building after the President signed a 
legislation I introduced into Congress.
  On George Henry White Day, January 29, 2005, the Phoenix Historical 
Society unveiled a commissioned portrait of George Henry White in the 
Superior Court Room of the Edgecombe County Court House following 
approval by the Edgecombe County Board of Commissioners.
  In 2007, I introduced legislation urging the Citizens Stamp Advisory 
Committee to consider honoring George Henry White with a commemorative 
postage stamp. I reintroduced the legislation in 2009, and I will again 
reintroduce this legislation during the 112th Congress.
  Last year, the North Carolina Historical Commission approved 
recommendations of the Capitol Monument Study Committee to lift a 
moratorium of new monuments on the state capitol square to include 
among others a monument to commemorate the achievements and public 
statements of U.S. Representative George Henry White.
  Mr. Speaker, George Henry White fearlessly and consistently stirred 
the conscience of America to embrace racial justice and equality for 
all people. It was a life worthy of remembering. Please join me in 
recognizing George Henry White, and in sending our best wishes to the 
Phoenix Historical Society, which organized the George Henry White Day.

[[Page E110]]



                          ____________________