[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21546]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 30, 2007

  Ms. PELOSI. Madam Speaker, 50 years ago next month, a group of 
courageous champions of civil rights united to form the Southern 
Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), which became a driving force 
behind the fight for equality and economic opportunity for African 
Americans. Led by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, the SCLC's 
commitment to non-violent civil disobedience exposed the evils of 
segregation and the violence and intimidation necessary to enforce this 
immoral policy.
  The heroic efforts of the SCLC and the great faith and courage of its 
members were indispensable to the epic and defining struggle of our 
history: to secure rights for all and to live up to the purpose for 
which this nation was founded--equality and justice for all.
  At the March on Washington for Freedom and Jobs, where Dr. King 
delivered his famous ``I Have a Dream'' speech, the SCLC created a 
turning point in the national debate over civil rights, helping propel 
passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 
1965. These twin victories shattered the policy of segregation and 
reaffirmed our nation's commitment to equality for all of our citizens. 
The SCLC changed the nation with a vision of justice, equality, and 
opportunity for all.
  Today, the SCLC continues its commitment to improving the lives of 
African Americans, focusing on issues of economic empowerment, access 
to health care, and opportunity through education. On the occasion of 
its 50th anniversary, I honor the SCLC for its commitment to positive 
social change through direct action and non-violence, and I look 
forward to the victories we will achieve together in the name of equal 
justice and equality for all Americans.

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