[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 176 (Wednesday, December 7, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1628]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 1965 INTEGRATION OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA'S WOODLAWN HIGH 
                                 SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 7, 2016

  Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today, we honor six individuals--
Myrtice Chamblin, Cynthia Holder, Leon Humphries, Lillie Humphries, 
Cedric King, and Rita Eileen King--for courageously integrating 
Woodlawn High School in Birmingham, Alabama during September of 1965. 
We applaud these six individuals for their noble act to recognize the 
historic precedence they established and to acknowledge the exceptional 
bravery they displayed.
  The mid-20th century was an extraordinarily turbulent time for 
Alabama, especially Birmingham. The city and surrounding area had 
become a crucible for civil rights activity and peaceful protests that 
were often met with inconceivable hostility. Segregation and 
discrimination both had a strong grip on Birmingham society, which 
affected all aspects of life for African Americans. Despite the 
enactments of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments nearly a century 
beforehand, Birmingham's black citizens had yet to fully experience the 
promises that these constitutional changes intended to engender. 
Thankfully, the Supreme Court's unanimous decision of Brown v. Board of 
Education in 1954 overturned the long-standing decision of Plessy v. 
Ferguson, which had emboldened and reinforced the ferociousness of 
``separate but equal.''
  While these successive legislative modifications and landmark cases 
created a platform for diversity in theory, racial inclusiveness was 
still confronted with horrific opposition in actuality. It would take 
solemn individuals animated with daring spirits to truly produce the 
social changes needed to foster an integrated and equal United States 
of America. Today, we honor these six outstanding individuals who are 
exemplary of the heroicness herein described.
  The integration of Woodlawn High School by these stellar young people 
was not an occurrence of happenstance. It was not the decision of 
adults or older citizens who had completed school many years earlier. 
Instead, it was a strategic act by six underclassmen eager to learn. By 
boldly encountering aggression and animosity, they knew it was a 
sacrifice necessary to create a better city, state, and nation.
  Disciplined with the tools of non-violence and aided with the support 
of their caregivers and community, these six champions of equality and 
freedom that we praise today stood against injustice to impact future 
generations. Armed with nothing more than a consciousness of integrity 
and dignity, these six young people chose to walk in the line of danger 
and take a stand for human equality.
  In the spirit of grace and appreciation, we salute Myrtice Chamblin, 
Cynthia Holder, Leon Humphries, Lillie Humphries, Cedric King, and Rita 
Eileen King for their act of valor. Let their testimony and story of 
triumph continue to be a lesson to us all as we stand on their 
shoulders to combat oppression. Most importantly, let us not be remiss 
in our effort to shine light on exemplars that have moved mountains for 
us to walk through and paved paths for us to walk on. The routes we 
travel are easier because of you.

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