[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 37 (Wednesday, March 7, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1433-S1434]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             BLOODY SUNDAY

  Mr. REID. Madam President, 47 years ago today a group of 600 freedom-
loving men and women set out on a march from Selma, AL, to Montgomery, 
AL. The purpose of the march was to call for an end to discrimination 
and violence against African Americans. Among those peaceful protesters 
was a young man by the name of John Lewis, now Congressman John Lewis. 
His life has been one of truly a great civil rights leader, outstanding 
legislator, and a patriot beyond excellence.
  Only 6 blocks from the church where the march began, they were met at 
Edmund Pettus Bridge by police dogs, firehoses, and clubs. The terrible 
violence that day, known as Bloody Sunday, was broadcast across the 
country.
  March 1965 marked a turning point in the civil rights movement, as 
Americans cried out against the injustice and bloodshed they saw on 
television. Later that month about 25,000 courageous souls finally 
completed that 12-mile march from Selma to Montgomery that started on 
Bloody Sunday, and 6 months later President Lyndon Johnson signed the 
Voting Rights Act of 1965.
  A year ago I was privileged to lock arms with Congressman John Lewis 
and Congressman Jim Claiborne, two men whom I admire deeply, as we 
reenacted the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. It was really a 
humbling experience as John Lewis, with throngs of people--but we were 
together--explained to me what he remembered from that day:

       As we were starting up the bridge there was a drug store 
     that doesn't exist anymore, but a lot of whites were gathered 
     there. They were, of course, up to mischief.

  John Lewis had on his back a backpack--they were not very common in 
those days--he had a backpack on his back. He thought perhaps he would 
be arrested, as he had been many times, and he would have something to 
read while he was in jail. He had a book and an apple in that backpack, 
but, of course, he was beaten very badly, and no one will ever know 
what happened to the backpack and the apple and the book.
  It was really a humbling experience--I repeat, one I will never 
forget. On this day, I think we should all pause to

[[Page S1434]]

think that, while we have come a long way, we have a long way to go to 
make sure we have civil rights for everyone in America.


                            The Highway Bill

  Madam President, we were disappointed, as I indicated yesterday, at 
not being able to invoke cloture on this highway bill. I was satisfied 
yesterday that the Speaker of the House indicated that he thought the 
best thing to do, at least as I read the reports, would be to take the 
Senate version of a bill, if we can figure out a way to pass one, and 
then they would use that--he would bring it to the floor for a vote. I 
hope that is the case. The press doesn't always get things right, but I 
hope in this case they did.

  Senator McConnell's staff and my staff are exchanging paper as we 
speak. I hope we can work our way through this bill. I think it is 
unfortunate that we are going to have to have votes on a number of 
amendments that have nothing to do with this underlying piece of 
legislation.
  This is one thing the American people really do not like. At our 
townhall meetings, our visitations with people throughout our States, I 
have come to the realization that they hate what they call riders--
things that have nothing to do with bills. The Senate rules allow them 
in most instances, so if it takes this to get this bill done, then we 
will have to move forward in that way. I hope we can do that. As I 
said, we are going to exchange paper, and I hope both sides will react 
positively. I am confident we will over here, and I hope we can work 
something out.

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