[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 85 (Monday, May 17, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E530-E531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF THE 67TH ANNIVERSARY OF BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TERRI A. SEWELL

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 17, 2021

  Ms. SEWELL. Madam Speaker, on the 67th anniversary of the Supreme 
Court's Brown v. Board of Education ruling, I rise to pay tribute to 
the three living students who desegregated universities within 
Alabama's 7th Congressional District, as well as Attorney Fred Gray who 
assisted and led the litigation for each of these students.
  Over 60 years ago today, the United States Supreme Court declared 
that the doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson of ``separate but 
equal'' no longer reflected this country's moral and legal principles. 
Officially declaring racial segregation in schools as unconstitutional, 
this case established and upheld the American principles of racial 
equality and justice for all. While Brown v. Board of Education was a 
landmark decision towards a more just and equal America, Dr. King said, 
``the arc of the moral universe is long.'' While this case blazed 
trails for the progression of our society, the legacy of Jim Crow has 
deep roots, making it our responsibility to continue to fight against 
injustice.
  This year, as we honor the living, breathing legacy of the Brown 
decision, it is critically important that we pay tribute to the 
sacrifices made by the three living students who took on the charge of 
desegregating institutions of higher education in Alabama: Autherine 
Lucy (age 91), Wendall Gunn (age 79), and Harold Franklin (age 88).
  On September 4, 1952, Autherine Lucy submitted her application to the 
then segregated University of Alabama. Despite being accepted to the 
university, once the administration realized that Autherine was African 
American, her acceptance was withdrawn. Autherine was allowed to attend 
the university after receiving support from the community, two civil 
rights attorneys, and the Brown decision. As the first institution of 
higher education to be tested by the Brown decision, many believed that 
Autherine's sacrifices set the precedent for integrating institutions 
of higher education, yet many minority students after her continued to 
fight against institutionalized segregation.
  In July 1963, 7 years after Autherine was admitted to the University 
of Alabama, Wendell Gunn attempted to enroll in Florence College, now 
known as the University of North Alabama. After being sent to the 
university president's office, Wendell was told that he could not be 
admitted without a federal court order. Once again, attorney Fred Gray 
took on the case upholding his simple declaration to ``destroy 
everything segregated.''
  In January of the following year, Harold Franklin walked onto the 
campus of Auburn University as the school's first African American 
student. Similarly, Harold's enrollment to the university was met with 
strong opposition from those dedicated to preserving segregation within 
public schools despite the Brown decision. As a result, after 
``completing'' every requirement to obtain his master's degree, he was 
not able to defend his master's thesis and graduate until February of 
2020.
  As a proud product of Selma High School and its first Black 
valedictorian, I stand on the

[[Page E531]]

shoulders of so many who were denied access to great public schools in 
the name of institutionalized segregation. Understanding this, we know 
that 67 years later the fight to ensure that all people are afforded 
access to a quality education continues throughout this Nation. Today 
as we reflect on the Brown v. Board of Education decision, may we be 
renewed by the tenacity and bravery of Autherine Lucy, Wendall Gunn, 
and Harold Franklin and the perseverance of Attorney Fred Gray.
  On behalf of Alabama's 7th Congressional District, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in paying tribute to these three students and 
Attorney Gray for their contributions to reshaping education in Alabama 
and across our Nation.

                          ____________________