[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 4, 2014)]
[House]
[Pages H1550-H1551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     BLACK HISTORY MONTH: THE NATIVE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF ALABAMA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Alabama (Ms. Sewell) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of Black 
History Month and the countless contributions and sacrifices made by 
notable African Americans to this great Nation. I also stand before you 
to proclaim the month of February as a time of reflection for Alabama's 
Seventh Congressional District.
  In honor of Black History Month, I thought it would be befitting that 
we pay honor and tribute to the native sons and daughters of Alabama 
that have made significant contributions not only to the great State of 
Alabama, but to this Nation. As representative of the Civil Rights 
District and a beneficiary of the sacrifices of so many, I have 
committed to sharing the stories of these extraordinary men and women 
throughout the month of February so that their contributions will 
forever be recorded and referenced in our Nation's history.

                              {time}  1030

  Today, I again begin with a tribute to Virgil Ware, 13, and Johnnie 
Robinson, 16. These American heroes and Birmingham natives lost their 
lives within hours of the historic bombing of the Sixteenth Street 
Baptist Church on Sunday, September 15, 1963.
  While many of us have heard the heart-wrenching stories of the four 
little girls that perished in that bomb, many aren't aware that on that 
same day, Virgil and Johnnie were also victims of unspeakable and 
senseless violence.
  Virgil Ware was born on December 6, 1949, in Birmingham, Alabama to 
James and Lorine Ware. He was the third of six children. One of his 
surviving brothers, Melvin Ware, describes Virgil as a special child 
who was exceptional in his educational endeavors. While his brothers 
were preparing for social gatherings, Virgil could be found reading a 
good book or perusing the encyclopedia. A few months before his death, 
the eighth-grader expressed to his older siblings that he was looking 
forward to joining them at the local high school next year. Before 
Virgil's

[[Page H1551]]

dreams could be realized, he fell victim to a tragedy that would change 
the Ware family and this community forever.
  Virgil, who sat on the handlebars of his brother's bike, was headed 
to join his brother on a paper route on the outskirts of Birmingham, 
Alabama, on Sunday, September 15, 1963. The brothers rode past a group 
of men who had just left a segregationist meeting in the city. One of 
the men was told to shoot at the Ware brothers to ``scare them.'' The 
man fired two shots in their direction. One bullet struck Virgil in his 
chest and another in his cheek. Tragically, the young boy who loved to 
read and help his family lost his life on that day. Virgil was the 
sixth young person to lose his life on that Sunday in Birmingham due to 
blatant violence.
  Just one hour prior to Virgil's death, Johnnie Robinson joined a 
group of young boys at a local gas station. Johnnie was born on 
February 25, 1947, to Martha and Johnnie Robinson, Sr. His younger 
brother, Leon, describes him as a kid who loved playing baseball and 
basketball. Ironically, his favorite subject was history. Even at the 
tender age of 16, he understood that he and his siblings were living in 
a historic era. He came from a close-knit family and had lost his 
father in a racially-motivated killing just weeks before his own death.
  The afternoon that Johnnie went to the gas station, tensions remained 
high as local citizens were still reeling from the news of the church 
bombing and the deaths of the ``four little girls.'' According to 
accounts that were published in the Birmingham News article, Johnnie 
and other young boys were being taunted by White teenagers with chants 
of opposing integration.
  There was also reports of rocks being thrown in retaliation in the 
hours after the bombing. In the midst of all the chaos, Johnnie was 
killed by a police officer.
  Some of our Nation's biggest heroes are those that fought on the 
front lines in pursuit of equality and justice. However, young Virgil 
and Johnnie serve as symbols of the heroes of the movement that we 
don't always recognize. Johnnie and Virgil should be remembered for 
their important sacrifices that were made, and this history of our 
Nation should not forget them.
  As we celebrate Black History Month and the notable contributions of 
African Americans to this country, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
remembering these brave young men during the month of February and 
beyond. Their short lives serve as one of many catalysts for the 
transformative change in our country. While we know that their 
destinies were cut short, far too short, we remember them for their 
impact on the civil rights movement. During their short time on this 
Earth, these young souls should be counted in the number of our 
Nation's biggest heroes.
  I hope that my colleagues will join me in celebrating the life and 
legacy of Virgil Ware and Johnnie Robinson, Jr., during this Black 
History Month period.

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