[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 12, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E501]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DESEGREGATION OF THE 
                          PURCELLVILLE LIBRARY

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 12, 2017

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 60th anniversary 
of the desegregation of the Purcellville Library and to express 
gratitude for all those people of good will who helped bring about the 
change. On April 9, 1957, the Purcellville Public Library opened its 
doors to African-American patrons, and on April 8, 2017, the community 
of Purcellville celebrated this important historical milestone with a 
series of informational programs and exhibits describing the Civil 
Rights heritage of western Loudoun.
  It is clear that we all owe a great debt of gratitude for the courage 
and tenacity of two residents of Purcellville, Samuel Cardoza Murray 
and his wife, Josie Cook Murray, who had a very successful upholstery 
business in the town. Around Christmas, 1956, the Murrays went to the 
Purcellville Library to do some research on ornate Austrian shades for 
a window in a customer's home and were shocked when they were denied 
the opportunity to take out books that they needed. That incident began 
a several month struggle by the Murrays to challenge the library's 
segregation policy.
  The Murrays' struggle included being rebuffed by several attorneys, 
and experiencing various other forms of personal harassment. Although 
the financial well-being of the library played a role, a positive side 
of the controversy was the sentiment of the residents of Loudoun 
revealed in a petition and counter-petition that were collected; Those 
petitioning to keep the library segregated got 44 signatures and those 
willing to integrate the library had 366 signatures, which was eight 
times the number of the pro-segregation group. The integration of 
Purcellville Library has great historical significance as one of the 
first victories in the civil rights movement in Loudoun County.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in thanking Samuel 
Cardoza Murray and Josie Cook Murray for their commitment to make sure 
that all young minds will be nurtured in our libraries, in our schools, 
and in our homes.

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