[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 59 (Friday, April 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




AWARDING CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO ADDIE MAE COLLINS, DENISE McNAIR, 
                  CAROLE ROBERTSON, AND SYNTHIA WESLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 2013

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I stand in solidarity with my 
colleagues in the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the bombing 
of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. On that 
Sunday morning of September 15, 1963, twenty-two people were wounded 
and four young African American girls, Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia 
Wesley, Carole Robertson, as well as Denise McNair lost their lives in 
an act of racial hatred.
  The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church was a prime target because of its 
landmark status in the Civil Rights Movement, having hosted civil 
rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. However, these 
individuals, who sought to strike fear in the hearts of those fighting 
for civil and human rights, undoubtedly failed. The bombing of these 
innocent individuals seeking to find solace in their spiritual faith 
redoubled the ardor of those fighting against racial prejudice and for 
equality.
   Having been born into segregation, I know the sting of invidious 
discrimination. Nevertheless, it is heartening to see that all these 
years later we have made much positive progress toward equality as 
evidenced by the election of President Barack Obama and my own election 
to Congress. Notwithstanding the many strides toward freedom, the 
righteous struggle against hatred in all its forms continues. Let us 
today reaffirm our abiding commitment for human and civil rights for 
all.
   In closing, Mr. Speaker, I wholeheartedly endorse and support H.R. 
360, which posthumously awards a Congressional Gold Medal to Addie Mae 
Collins, Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley, in 
recognition of the 50th commemoration of the bombing of the Sixteenth 
Street Baptist Church.

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