[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 27, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E449]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


  IN RECOGNITION OF THE LOUISVILLE METRO HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION'S 
                            50TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2012

  Mr. YARMUTH. Mr. Speaker, I rise todry in honor of the Louisville 
Metro Human Relations Commission, which celebrates its 50th anniversary 
today.
  More than two years before the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 
1964, the city of Louisville asserted itself as a voice of compassion 
and reason in the face of hate, building on a recent history of social 
progress by passing an ordinance to formally condemn racial and 
religious discrimination.
  The ordinance referred to elements that are ``contrary to public 
policy and detrimental to the peace, progress, and welfare of the 
city,'' and in doing so created a city agency to monitor and adjudicate 
discrimination in public accommodations at a time when Louisville--and 
much of the country--was working to fully integrate schools, housing, 
neighborhoods, and public employment.
  Over the past 50 years, the Commission has helped preserve and 
advance that history of progress, serving as a conscience for our 
community and protecting our citizens from discrimination because of 
race, color, religion, national origin, familial status, age, 
disability, sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation.
  It has been a primary force in building a safe and supportive 
community where diversity is not only accepted, but embraced.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the Louisville Metro Human Relations 
Commission on 50 years of important work, and I look forward to another 
50.

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