[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 4, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E290-E291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING JOHNNIE CARR DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 4, 2014

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of 
continuing the 7th district's commitment to honoring influential 
African Americans that were sons and daughters of Alabama. Today, it is 
my great privilege to pay homage to Mrs. Johnnie Carr, a heroine of the 
Civil Rights movement and a pioneer of the Montgomery Bus Boycott. In 
Alabama, this stalwart is referenced for her lifetime devotion to 
ensuring that America lived up to its ideals of freedom and equality 
for all.
   This phenomenal woman was born on January 26, 1911 in Montgomery 
Alabama to John and Annie Daniels. She was educated at ``Miss White's 
Industrial School for Girls,'' a private institution devoted to 
educating young women of color. She went on to complete coursework in 
nursing before launching a public service career that would continue 
throughout her lifetime.
   During the 1930s, Mrs. Carr found her calling as a foot soldier and 
started with a campaign to help raise funds for the defense of the 
Scottsboro Boys. This historic case involved nine black men who were 
falsely accused of raping two white women in 1931. During this time, 
she also became active in the NAACP and served as secretary and youth 
coordinator for the organization.
   In 1964, Mrs. Carr and her husband, Arlam Carr also broke barriers 
in public education in Montgomery. The couple filed a suit against the 
Montgomery Board of Education in effort to allow their son to attend an 
all white high school. The monumental court case, Carr v. Montgomery 
County Board of Education, is referenced as a landmark decision that 
led to the desegregation of public schools in Montgomery, Alabama. 
Despite constant death threats the Carrs remained committed to the 
cause and eventually won the case on June 2, 1969. As a result, their 
son, Arlam Jr., was one of 13 black students to integrate Sydney Lanier 
High School.
   In addition to their contribution to the integration of public 
schools, Mrs. Carr and her husband would also become pillars in efforts 
to desegregate the Montgomery bus system. In December of 1955, shortly 
after Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white passenger, the 
Carrs agreed to follow local buses in their personal vehicle to monitor 
the success of the demonstration. The couple also transported blacks 
that needed rides to work and provided an alternative to using the 
segregated bus system in Montgomery.
   During the demonstration, Mrs. Carr was named president of the 
Montgomery Improvement Association in 1967. The organization was 
initially formed to oversee the bus boycotts but the entity would 
eventually play a huge role in ending segregation in the city of 
Montgomery. Mrs. Carr remained at the helm of the organization until 
her death in 2008. In 1984, Mrs. Carr joined ``One Montgomery'', an 
organization dedicated to improving race relations in Montgomery. Later 
in life, she became

[[Page E291]]

a celebrated lecturer on her experiences during the civil rights 
movement.
   Throughout her lifetime, Mrs. Carr's steadfast leadership broke 
barriers as she boldly tackled the injustices of her time. She was at 
the forefront of blazing trails for me and so many others. This amazing 
woman was dedicated to serving as a conduit for social change. Against 
insurmountable odds, she remained committed to her calling. Today, we 
honor this great woman of strength and reflect on the countless 
contributions she has made to the state of Alabama and this nation.
   As a benefactor of Mrs. Carr's efforts, it is indeed an honor to 
share her story with our nation. As we reflect on all that she has 
given, let us commit to honoring her legacy by never forgetting her 
role in American history. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
Mrs. Johnnie Carr, an American hero.

                          ____________________