[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 84 (Tuesday, May 22, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF NAACP BREMERTON UNIT 1134

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                           HON. DEREK KILMER

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2018

  Mr. KILMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 75th 
Anniversary of NAACP Bremerton Unit 1134. I was pleased to celebrate 
this anniversary officially on Saturday, May 19, 2018 in Bremerton, 
Washington.
   Mr. Speaker, according to the chief oral historian for the 
Washington State Legacy Project, in 1940 about 100 people of color 
lived in Bremerton. By 1944, more than 5,000 people of color moved to 
the region as part of a massive influx of patriots who came here to 
help the war effort. The town's population grew from 15,000 in 1940 to 
75,000 in 1944.
   That growth didn't come easily. And it only came because people like 
Lillian Walker and her husband James moved to the region from Illinois 
and helped form what became Unit 1134.
   In 2009, Mrs. Walker, at 95 years old, told a historian: ``I've 
always tried to treat people like I want to be treated. I don't care 
what color you are as long as you're a good person. I've never 
understood prejudice, and I've never put up with it. I always said, 
`Well, you're either with me or against me. And if you're against me, 
that means we're going to have to fight!' ''
   And she fought.
   Mr. Speaker, our nation still has work to do to achieve the dream 
that Dr. King spoke of not far from this Capitol. The fight for 
equality continues, and the NAACP--as it has done in Bremerton for 75 
years--is leading the way. Anywhere in our country where there is 
inequality, the NAACP is there. The NAACP is leading the fight against 
discrimination at the polls. They are bridging the divide between 
people of color and our nation's police officers. They are pushing for 
better schools that give all our kids the skills they need to reach 
their dreams.
   They're working to end gun violence. And they're pushing for more 
opportunities for more people in more places.
   Mr. Speaker, Members of Congress, please join me in celebrating the 
75th Anniversary of NAACP Bremerton Unit 1134.

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