[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 129 (Thursday, September 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1384]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA BRANCH 
   OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE 
                                (NAACP)

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BETTY McCOLLUM

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2013

  Ms. McCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the 100th 
anniversary of the Saint Paul Branch of the National Association for 
the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and acknowledge their 
tremendous efforts to defend the ideals of justice and equality for all 
people. The origins of the Saint Paul NAACP are closely tied to those 
of the national organization, which is the oldest, largest and most 
recognized civil rights group in the country.
  The NAACP was founded when civil rights leaders of the Niagara 
Movement were joined by others calling for justice following the 
Springfield, Illinois Race Riot of 1908. The Niagara Movement was 
founded by prominent black leaders including W.E.B. Du Bois and 
Minnesota's own Frederick L. McGhee. Mr. McGhee was a Mississippi 
native who moved to Minnesota after law school, where he became the 
first African-American in Minnesota in history admitted to practice 
law. Involvement in law and politics propelled Mr. McGhee to the 
forefront of the civil rights movement as a champion of social 
equality, leading national efforts against racial discrimination and 
violence. Of the Niagara Movement, W.E.B. Du Bois said the honor of 
founding the organization belonged to Mr. McGhee, who first suggested 
it. After just the second meeting of the Niagara Movement, Mr. McGee 
returned home to Minnesota and helped organize a civil rights 
protection and advocacy group in the Twin Cities. By 1913, Saint Paul 
members of this group called to order the first meeting of what became 
the capitol city's own NAACP branch. Thus, the Saint Paul NAACP was 
born.
  During the 100 years since it was founded, the Saint Paul NAACP has 
produced nationally influential leaders like Roy Wilkins, who served as 
the National Executive Director from 1955-1977. Under Wilkins' 
direction during the turbulent Civil Rights era, the NAACP boldly 
investigated brutality, murder, segregation, discrimination and fought 
to end the suppression of minority voters at the ballot box. True to 
its origins, the Saint Paul NAACP continues to focus on economic 
disparities, health care, education, voter empowerment and the criminal 
justice system as it advocates for social justice and the inclusion of 
all citizens in the democratic process, regardless of racial, ethnic or 
religious lines.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in rising to honor the courageous and 
honorable work of the Saint Paul NAACP as staff and the many volunteers 
who make it a success celebrate its 100th anniversary.

                          ____________________