[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16746]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    BROWN VERSUS BOARD OF EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. J.C. WATTS, JR.

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 10, 2001

  Mr. WATTS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, the United States Constitution 
guarantees liberty and equal opportunity to the people of the United 
States. Historically, however, these fundamental rights have not always 
been provided.
  In the early beginnings of U.S. history, education was withheld from 
people of African descent. In some states it was against the law for 
African Americans to learn to read and write. Later, throughout 
America's history, the educational system mandated separate schools for 
children based solely on race. In many instances, the schools for 
African American children were substandard facilities with out-of-date 
textbooks and insufficient supplies.
  However, on May 17, 1954, in the landmark case aimed at ending 
segregation in public schools--Brown versus the Board of Education--the 
United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision that ``separate 
educational facilities are inherently unequal,'' and as such, violate 
the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which guarantees 
all citizens, ``equal protection of the laws.'' The Brown decision 
effectively denied the legal basis for segregation in states with 
segregated classrooms and initiated educational reform throughout the 
United States. This decision brought all Americans one step closer to 
attaining equal opportunities in education.
  In remembrance of the Brown decision, we must remain steadfast in our 
efforts to make sure that all children receive the very best education 
imaginable. Therefore, I urge all of my colleagues to join with me 
today in supporting the establishment of a commission to encourage and 
provide for the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Brown 
versus Board of Education Supreme Court decision.

                          ____________________