[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 168 (Thursday, November 14, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H6001-H6002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING DR. RUDY LOMBARD
(Mr. CARTER of Louisiana asked and was given permission to address
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Madam Speaker, since joining the United
States Congress, I have sought to designate a postal facility in the
name of Dr. Rudy Lombard in recognition of his legacy as a champion of
civil rights.
Simultaneously, I was exploring other options of honoring him in
other ways. After consultation with Dr.
[[Page H6002]]
Lombard's family, I am suspending my efforts to rename the post office,
as we decided that the Algiers Ferry Terminal would be more suitable
for this tribute.
This terminal, at the foot of Canal Street in New Orleans, is where
Dr. Rudy Lombard likely embarked on many of his direct actions to fight
for civil rights. As a native of Algiers, I can think of no better
tribute for a man who dedicated his life to justice, equality, and the
people of New Orleans.
Dr. Rudy Lombard was a civil rights hero. Born in Algiers in 1939, he
grew up confronting the harsh realities of racial discrimination, a
challenge that would shape his path as a relentless activist.
His courage shone brightly as a college student at Xavier University,
where he led the now-legendary sit-in against segregation at McCrory's
Five-and-Dime, alongside the CORE Four, Lanny Goldfinch, Cecil Carter,
Jr., and Oretha Castle. His brave actions helped dismantle the
framework of injustice, culminating in the landmark Supreme Court
victory.
Naming the Algiers Ferry Terminal after Dr. Lombard would not only
honor his legacy but will also serve as a constant reminder of the
power of collective action.
The ferry has been a vital part of Algiers, connecting communities
and enabling access. I implore the New Orleans Regional Transit
Authority to take this action so it will connect us with the values of
Dr. Rudy Lombard and those things that he embodied: equity, courage,
and progress.
____________________