[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 150 (Wednesday, September 25, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S6425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MILWAUKEE NAACP

  Ms. BALDWIN. Madam President, today I rise to recognize the Milwaukee 
NAACP on its 100th anniversary. It gives me great pleasure to honor 
this remarkable organization and to commemorate this historic 
milestone.
  The Milwaukee NAACP branch was established in 1924, which grew out of 
the national quest to eradicate the eruptions of anti-Black violence. 
For 100 years, the Milwaukee NAACP has stood at the forefront of the 
civil rights movement, unwavering in its efforts to achieve parity in 
politics, education, society, and the economy, while striving to 
eliminate racial prejudice.
  During the emergence of the NAACP, millions of African-Americans were 
migrating from the south to northern States like Wisconsin in search of 
greater opportunity and a better quality of life. The newcomers soon 
learned that they had not escaped racial discrimination in jobs, 
education, and housing.
  Throughout its early years, led by prominent middle-class African-
American professionals, including Wilbur Halyard, Ardie Halyard, and 
James W. Dorsey, the Milwaukee NAACP was instrumental in battling the 
racial discrimination through political lobbying, legal intervention, 
and direct-action protest.
  Over the past century, the NAACP has achieved significant progress in 
empowering African-Americans to reach their greatest potential. By 
supporting initiatives to improve the lives of those who are often left 
behind, the NAACP has instigated substantial transformations in 
Wisconsin's largest city.
  Despite the NAACP's tireless efforts, the African-American community 
in Milwaukee continues to face daunting challenges. Factors such as 
wages, educational outcomes, economic conditions, neighborhood safety, 
and the opportunity to achieve the American dream are regretfully still 
influenced by a person's ZIP Code or the color of his or her skin.
  By working together, we can ensure that African-Americans and all 
community members are educated, employed, and empowered to succeed. The 
NAACP's persistent commitment to improvement fosters hope for the next 
generation of leaders in Milwaukee's communities of color.
  As we honor the Milwaukee NAACP's achievements and contemplate future 
challenges, I will be forever grateful for the branch's achievements 
over the past century, and I look forward to its continued success in 
the years to come.

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