[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 14, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE 
                    (NAACP) ON ITS 108TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 14, 2017

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as a proud member of 
the Congressional Black Caucus, I am pleased to join my colleagues in 
honoring the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People 
(NAACP) for its 108th Anniversary after the organization was first 
founded on February 12, 1909. The NAACP is a prominent African-American 
civil rights organization in the centuries-old fight for social, 
economic, and political equality under the law for all Americans.
  The NAACP is an organization that is deeply rooted in our nation's 
history. It is the oldest and largest civil rights orga nization in the 
United States. The NAACP is founded on the noble pillars of equality, 
non-discrimination, and morality, and has historically been successful 
in achieving its goals through nonviolent protest, education, and legal 
and moral persuasion. The NAACP was pivotal in the passage of historic 
pieces of legislation such as the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights 
Act, and countless other legal victories in our nation's history.
  As a member of the African-American community, fighting for the 
rights of African-Americans, and other minority populations across the 
country, is of personal significance. Our desire to bring equal 
treatment and rights to all Americans has helped fuel the diversity and 
strengths that we as a country enjoy today. It is through our 
differences that we are able to see value in many different 
perspectives. However, it was not without struggle to arrive at this 
point and we have organizations such as the NAACP, in part, to thank 
for the reconciliation of past harms while having the tools to address 
new challenges.
  Mr. Speaker, it is important that we recognize the contributions and 
struggles of the people behind organizations such as the NAACP so that 
we can learn from our past and avoid making the same mistakes again in 
the future. The NAACP continues to be a leader in raising awareness 
around social issues facing our country today, such as threats to 
voting rights. We owe it to future generations to continue the legacy 
of the NAACP, so that we can continue to build a stronger and better 
nation for our children.

                          ____________________