[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14612]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   WELCOMING THE NAACP TO WASHINGTON, DC ON THE OCCASION OF ITS 97TH 
                           ANNUAL CONVENTION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN L. CARDIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 17, 2006

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to welcome the National Association 
for the Advancement of Colored People to Washington, DC for its 97th 
Annual Convention, The NAACP has been dedicated to promoting and 
preserving civil rights since its founding in 1909. This year's theme, 
``Voting our Values, Valuing our Votes,'' reflects well the 
organization's commitment to the causes of equality and full 
participation in society for each and every American.
  I wish to extend a special welcome to NAACP President and CEO Bruce 
Gordon who is completing his first year at the organization's helm, and 
to Chairman Julian Bond, who has provided steadfast direction and 
counsel over the years.
  As a native of Baltimore, the NAACP's home, and as a life member of 
the organization, I am filled with pride to see such a large turnout 
this week in our nation's capital. I also want to welcome the delegates 
from Region 7, including my constituents from Maryland, who are 
participating in the week's events. Many of the other delegates flew 
for the first time into the Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood 
Marshall Airport, which was renamed last year in honor of Justice 
Marshall, a son of Baltimore who served as the NAACP's Chief Counsel 
prior to his historic tenure on the United States Supreme Court.
  The 97th annual convention occurs as the House of Representatives has 
just overwhelmingly passed--without amendments--a 25-year 
reauthorization of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and we look forward to 
its passage this week by the Senate. I want to express my gratitude to 
Mr. Gordon and Mr. Bond for their vigorous efforts in support of this 
crucial legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in saluting the NAACP 
for its extraordinary legacy of commitment and courage and for its 
outstanding presence at this 97th annual convention. I look forward to 
working with them to promote and protect civil rights in the years to 
come.

                          ____________________