[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 84 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E807]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF NATIONAL JUBILEE DAY

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                         HON. G. K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2016

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the very important 
Supreme Court decision in Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Nobles of 
the Mystic Shrine et al. v. Michaux et al. that was handed down on June 
3, 1929. The Court's unanimous decision in this case affirmed the legal 
right of African Americans to participate in fraternal orders similar 
to those of Caucasian Americans. I also rise to celebrate the second 
annual Jubilee Day Celebration that will occur here in Washington, D.C. 
on June 5, 2016 to honor the 86th anniversary of this historic 
decision.
  The struggle for legal clarity on whether or not African Americans 
could continue to practice the tenants and principles of the Mystic 
Shrine began in 1914 after a lawsuit was filed in Georgia and a judge 
granted an injunction, barring African Americans from using the names, 
titles, emblems, and regalia that were also used by Caucasian Shriners 
in the state. Several more lawsuits and injunctions in other states 
further limited African Americans abilities to participate in Masonic 
fraternities until a case in 1918 expanded these restrictions 
nationwide. In 1926, the Texas Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's 
decision that barred African Americans from practicing Masonry in state 
and that decision was appealed to the United States Supreme Court. 
Finally, after 15 long years of fighting a costly legal battle for the 
right to exist and to legally practice, the United States Supreme Court 
handed down a unanimous decision on June 3, 1929, granting African 
Americans the right to continue their participation in Masonic 
fraternities similar to those of Caucasian Americans.
  Mr. Speaker, we are all aware of the tremendous contributions made by 
our local Prince Hall Shriners to make our communities better places. 
These selfless individuals give countless hours of service to our 
communities, provide generous college scholarships to economically 
disadvantaged youth, and contribute significant funds to hospitals and 
research institutions. All of these things would not be possible 
without the Supreme Court's decision in June 1929.
  Mr. Speaker, even after the Supreme Court's decision in 1929, the 
struggle for equality and recognition continued, and it continues in 
many places to this day. In my home state of North Carolina, it took 
until November 21, 2008 for the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge 
of Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina and Jurisdictions, Inc. 
to gain the acceptance and official recognition of their white Masonic 
brothers of the Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of North Carolina.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
41st Imperial Potentate of Prince Hall Shriners, Rochelle J. Julian, in 
commemorating the 86th anniversary of the Supreme Court's unanimous 
decision in Ancient Egyptian Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic 
Shrine et al. v. Michaux et al, and in wishing a joyous celebration to 
everyone that will be in Washington, D.C. participating in the 
festivities for the National Jubilee Day Celebration.

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