[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 183 (Thursday, December 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2151-E2152]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE LEGACY OF ROSA PARKS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 1, 2011

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the heroic spirit of 
one of the most remarkable women in our nation's history by celebrating 
National Transit Tribute to Rosa Parks Day. Commonly known as ``the 
first lady of civil rights'' and ``the mother of the freedom 
movement,'' Rosa Parks is a heroine who will be forever remembered for 
her courage to stand up for what she believed.
  On that fateful December 1st evening in 1955, Rosa Parks had the 
strength to refuse to sit in the back of the bus, where blacks at the 
time were segregated from white riders in the front. By this simple yet 
heroic protest she inspired blacks across America to fight for their 
rights. I am honored to have been part of the Civil Rights Movement she 
helped fuel. Because of her vision for equality, America has made great 
strides toward a more perfect union.
  It was a great privilege to attend the ceremony on October 28, 2005, 
when our nation bestowed Rosa Parks the highest honor by allowing her 
body to lie in honor in the Capitol of the United States Congress. She 
was the first American who had not been a government official to be 
paid this tribute. She was also the first woman and the second black 
person to lie in honor.
  The story of Rosa Parks is proof that everyone in our great 
democracy, in this case a 42-year-old black woman from Montgomery, 
Alabama, can change the course of our country and help pave a better 
tomorrow for future generations. I hope we can be inspired by Rosa 
Parks to continue our fight for equality and justice for all Americans.

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