[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 122 (Thursday, July 19, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H6577]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  DOCKUM DRUGSTORE SIT-IN ANNIVERSARY

  (Mr. ESTES of Kansas asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ESTES of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th 
anniversary of the beginning of the Dockum Drugstore sit-in.
  In 1958, 20-year-old Ron Walters and his cousin, Carol Parks-Hahn, 
were inspired by a California campus restaurant sit-in, the Little Rock 
Nine, and the Montgomery bus boycott. Bravely seeking to challenge the 
status quo of segregation in Wichita, they planned a sit-in at a 
downtown drugstore with a lunch counter for White customers only.
  On July 19, 10 students walked into the Dockum Drugstore and sat 
down. They were described as well dressed and polite, and sought only 
to be served a soft drink at the counter.
  For 3 weeks, the students entered the drugstore every day, boldly 
sitting through cursing, questioning, and even threats. Finally, on 
August 11, the store manager declared: ``Serve them. I'm losing too 
much money.''
  Following their success, similar efforts became a hallmark of the 
civil rights movement. And today, on this 60th anniversary, their 
actions continue to inspire.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful these young men and women took action to 
end segregation in their community.

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