[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 3] [House] [Pages 3487-3494] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING THE NAACP ON ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 35) honoring and praising the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution. The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows: H. Con. Res. 35 Whereas the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (referred to in this resolution as the ``NAACP''), originally known as the National Negro Committee, was founded in New York City on February 12, 1909, the centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, by a multiracial group of activists who met in a national conference to discuss the civil and political rights of African-Americans; Whereas the NAACP was founded by a distinguished group of leaders in the struggle for civil and political liberty, including Ida Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Henry Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villard, and William English Walling; Whereas the NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States; Whereas the mission of the NAACP is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination; Whereas the NAACP is committed to achieving its goals through nonviolence; Whereas the NAACP advances its mission through reliance upon the press, the petition, the ballot, and the courts, and has been persistent in the use of legal and moral persuasion, even in the face of overt and violent racial hostility; Whereas the NAACP has used political pressure, marches, demonstrations, and effective lobbying to serve as the voice, as well as the shield, for minority Americans; Whereas after years of fighting segregation in public schools, the NAACP, under the leadership of Special Counsel Thurgood Marshall, won one of its greatest legal victories in the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education, 374 U.S. 483 (1954); Whereas in 1955, NAACP member Rosa Parks was arrested and fined for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama--an act of courage that would serve as the catalyst for the largest grassroots civil rights movement in the history of the United States; Whereas the NAACP was prominent in lobbying for the passage of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, and 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, Coretta Scott King, Cesar E. Chavez, Barbara C. Jordan, William C. Velasquez, and Dr. Hector P. Garcia Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006, and the Fair Housing Act, laws that ensured Government protection for legal victories achieved; Whereas in 2005, the NAACP launched the Disaster Relief Fund to help survivors in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, and Alabama to rebuild their lives; Whereas in the 110th Congress, the NAACP was prominent in lobbying for the passage of H. Res. 826, whose resolved clause expresses that: (1) the hanging of nooses is a horrible act when used for the purpose of intimidation and which under certain circumstances can be criminal; (2) this conduct should be investigated thoroughly by Federal authorities; and (3) any criminal violations should be vigorously prosecuted; and Whereas in 2008 the NAACP vigorously supported the passage of the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act of 2007 (28 U.S.C. 509 note), a law that puts additional Federal resources into solving the heinous crimes that occurred in the early days of the civil rights struggle that remain unsolved and bringing those who perpetrated such crimes to justice: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress-- (1) recognizes the 100th anniversary of the historic founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and (2) honors and praises the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its anniversary for its work to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Smith) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Georgia. General Leave Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Georgia? There was no objection. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, today we honor the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization, on the occasion of its 100th anniversary, for a century of unwavering commitment to justice and equality for all. The NAACP, founded on February 12, 1909, by Ida Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Henry Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villiard and William English Walling was indeed a labor of diversity. Since its inception, the NAACP has united students, laborers, professionals, scholars, officials and others of all races to advance its vision of a society in which all individuals have equal rights and there is no racial hatred or racial discrimination. Historically, the NAACP may be best known for Thurgood Marshall's successful advocacy leading to the watershed 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, in which the Supreme Court held that separate educational facilities are inherently unequal. The NAACP is also known for the work of its chief advocate for more than 30 years, Clarence Mitchell, who worked to secure the 1957, 1960 and 1964 Civil Rights Acts, as well as the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the 1968 Fair Housing Act. But we salute the NAACP not only for these better-known accomplishments, but for all of its efforts to promote justice and equality for every American, throughout the past 100 years. And the NAACP spoke out against lynching, challenged racially biased Supreme Court justice nominees as early as 1930, and pursued nondiscrimination policies in the military, in war-related industries, and the rest of the Federal Government during the world wars. At the height of the Civil Rights era, NAACP fought battles everywhere, on the ground, in the courtroom, and in the United States Congress. Finally, in commemorating the 100th anniversary of the NAACP, we draw inspiration as we look to the continued work that lies ahead. From Dr. King [[Page 3488]] and Coretta Scott King, from Rosa Parks, from Medgar Evers and Merlie Evers-Williams, from Julian Bond, from Kweisi Mfume and from so many others who have gone before, and from the current leadership of President Benjamin Todd Jealous, Washington Bureau Directory, Hilary Shelton, and Legal Defense Fund President John Payton, through whom the NAACP has been promoting African American graduation and college readiness, protecting and advancing voting rights and identifying solutions to our current fiscal crisis. As we celebrate the NAACP's centennial anniversary, I am confident that the organization will remain an integral part of our Nation's efforts to protect and promote civil rights for all Americans. I urge my colleagues to support H. Con. Res. 35. I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I support House Concurrent Resolution 35 which recognizes the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. For a century now, the NAACP has fought to bring justice and racial equality to all of America. In 1917, the NAACP won a legal victory in the Supreme Court which held that States could not restrict and officially segregate black Americans into residential districts. The same year the NAACP fought for the right of black Americans to be commissioned as officers in World War I. In 1935, NAACP lawyers Charles Houston and Thurgood Marshall won a legal battle to admit a black student to the University of Maryland. During World War II, the NAACP led the effort that resulted in President Franklin Roosevelt's ordering a nondiscrimination policy in war-related industries and Federal employment. And in 1948, the NAACP convinced President Harry Truman to sign an executive order banning discrimination by the Federal Government. In 1954, under the leadership of Special Counsel Thurgood Marshall, the NAACP won one of its greatest legal victories in Brown v. Board of Education, which found segregated schools and other educational facilities in the United States to be unlawful. In 1960, in Greensboro, North Carolina, members of the NAACP Youth Council launched a series of nonviolent sit-ins at segregated lunch counters. The segregation ended. The history of America's modern struggle to live up to our constitutional principles includes a major role by the NAACP, and it continues to champion the cause of social justice today. It is with pleasure that I join in supporting this concurrent resolution, which I hope raises even greater awareness of this organization's historic contributions to the cause of civil rights. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to yield the balance of my time to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Poe), also a member of the Judiciary Committee. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, the gentleman from Texas will control the balance of the time. There was no objection. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas, Congressman Al Green. Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in the inner sanctum of my soul, I believe that although the arc of the moral universe is long, as Dr. King put it, it bends toward justice. However, I must confess that in the cognitive confines of my cranium, I know that it does so because of organizations like the NAACP. For 100 years, the NAACP has been there bending the arc of the moral universe toward justice for all. From anti-lynching legislation to Brown v. Board of Education, to the election of the 44th President of this Nation, the NAACP has been there. For 100 years, it's been there because of brave and noble Americans who made great sacrifice that all may have a better life. Brave and noble Americans like NAACPer Rosa Parks, who took a stand by taking a seat and ignited a spark as a result that enhanced the Civil Rights Movement; brave and noble Americans like NAACPer Medgar Evers, who sacrificed his life in an effort to bring justice to all; brave and noble Americans like white NAACPer John Shalady, who was beaten by a mob and eventually died in his effort to secure rights for blacks. For 100 years, it's been there demonstrating at the White House, negotiating and litigating at the courthouse. Hence, it is indeed most appropriate that the Congress of the United States of America honor the NAACP on this, its 100th anniversary. To this end, Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Conyers and Ranking Member Lamar Smith, subcommittee chair Bobby Scott, floor leader Hank Johnson, and also now floor leader Judge Ted Poe. I also thank the 105 U.S. House cosponsors of this legislation. I thank Senator Dodd and his 20 cosponsors of the companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. And, in closing, at the risk of being both redundant and superfluous, I beg, beseech and entreat my colleagues to support this resolution because, in so doing, you are voting for liberty and justice for all, as pronounced in the Pledge of Allegiance. In so doing, you are voting for government of the people by the people for the people, as proclaimed in the Constitution. In so doing, you are voting for the equality of all, as promulgated in the Declaration of Independence. By voting for this resolution, you are continuing to bend the arc of the moral universe toward justice. Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Franks). Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, today I stand here to honor the NAACP. We all honor the NAACP in this House. It has been at the forefront of the civil rights struggle in this country for 100 years, and though 100 years have passed since the founding of the NAACP, there still remains great work to be done. Mr. Speaker, last summer dozens of black pastors and black mothers attended the 99th annual NAACP conference in Cincinnati to call on the NAACP to help expose one of the least known and yet one of the most pervasive forms of racism at work still in this country, the targeting of the black community by abortion providers. Many of these advocates who gathered at the NAACP I have the privilege to call precious friends. Dr. Alveda King, who leads King for America, is the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King. {time} 1745 Bishop Harry Jackson; Reverend Johnny Hunter, the founder of LEARN, America's largest African American pro-life organization; the Reverend Clenard Childress of LEARN Northeast; Catherine Davis with the Georgia Right to Life; Lawson Lipford-Cruz, the president of Black Students for Life; and David Owens, among many, many others. Their goal was simply to fulfill the mission of the NAACP, and that is to ensure equality and, most importantly, equal protection of the law for all. Mr. Speaker, I want to quote Dr. Alveda King, the niece of Dr. Martin Luther King, who helped lead the rally outside the NAACP conference. ``Racism lives at Planned Parenthood. I say to my fellow NAACP members: It's time to tell the government to stop funding racism. Planned Parenthood will gladly accept donations for the specific purpose of aborting only black babies,'' King said. ``It locates its clinics in or near minority neighborhoods. It has led the way in eliminating African Americans to the point where one quarter of the black population is now missing because of abortion.'' King called on the Nation's oldest civil rights organization to remember its mission statement: ``To ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.'' Day Gardner, the president of the National Black Pro-Life Union, said, ``As a child, I thought the NAACP to be a superhero organization, an organization that would fight racism right [[Page 3489]] down to its very core.'' She stressed that the NAACP leaders need to have their eyes opened to the agenda of government-supported abortion providers and to what she believes is their strategic marketing to the black community. According to reported statistics, Mr. Speaker, a black child is nearly five times more likely to be aborted than a white child. Gardner continued. ``We are here to rally the NAACP, to make our voices heard as we shout in unison `all across this great Nation the struggle is not yet over. The evil hand of racism is still at work.''' Gardner also spoke about the Federal tax dollars that go to Planned Parenthood. She said it was time for Congress to end that funding. She asked, ``Why are we forced to pay well over $300 million to an organization that is overtly racist? We are calling on the NAACP to stand boldly with us to defund Planned Parenthood and even lead the way in this, the greatest struggle for civil rights.'' Mr. Speaker, I just want to echo and agree with the words of Dr. King and of Day Gardner, that for the NAACP to fully advance the cause of the black community, it must take a stand and fight on behalf of the most helpless, voiceless, politically unempowered members of the black community--those being the unborn. Today, one out of every two black babies conceived in this country is lost to abortion. That is an astonishing reality that I cannot find the words to describe. I just want to thank those courageous members of the NAACP for their fight against this unspeakable tragedy. We must all open our eyes to the racist history of abortion-on-demand movements in this country and its devastating impact on black America. It is past time to defund such a movement in this country. To that end, I will also be reintroducing the PreNDA bill, the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act, to end sex-selection abortion and race- selection abortion in this country. It is the duty of all of us to come together and to eliminate this deadly form of discrimination in this generation. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Tennessee--the Chair of the Commercial and Administrative Law Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee, my good friend, Mr. Steve Cohen. Mr. COHEN. Mr. Speaker, I am a life member of the NAACP. In my lifetime, in the city of Memphis, there have been all kinds of activists involved in civil rights work or in political work, and the people who have always stood out as the champions have been the members of the NAACP. They have been the people who have been involved in looking out for human rights, voting rights, and civil rights for people, regardless of their color, because it was the right thing to do and not because of any political advantage to themselves. For those particular individuals of which Maxine Vasco Smith, Russell Sugarman, A.W. Willis, Jesse Turner, and others have been leaders, I commend them and thank them for their efforts before me. This is the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. In the African American community, there are only two other organizations that are renowned and that have celebrated 100 years of existence. The others are the Alphas, a distinguished fraternity; Alpha Phi Alpha; and the AKA sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha. Each has celebrated its 100th anniversaries most recently. The NAACP today is headed up by Julian Bond, one of the heroes of the Civil Rights Movement. He is a distinguished gentleman who has done a phenomenal job for 50 years in leading people toward the rights of free conscience as well as civil rights and other rights. Those are the types of activities that the NAACP has been involved in. It was started 100 years ago by a biracial group of people who thought it was time that America lived up to its promise. It had been approximately 40-some-odd years since the end of the Civil War, and yet we still had Jim Crow laws. This country had not advanced greatly from the time of the Civil War. We had the period of reconstruction, and then after that there was a step back in civil rights. These people decided there should be a change, and they have worked assiduously to see that that happens. They are often known or thought about with Thurgood Marshall and the work done for the Brown versus Board of Education in 1954 in bringing about that landmark decision. The NAACP Legal Defense Fund, which does so much, is a separate arm from the NAACP, but it was founded by it, and their activities in the courts have yielded great benefits to Americans throughout the years. When it comes to hate crimes, the NAACP has been on the front lines. With voting rights, they're on the front lines. So those leaders, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Coretta Scott King, Rosa Parks, Medgar Evers, Myrlie Evers-Williams, Benjamin Hooks from my hometown of Memphis, Jesse Turner, Jr., from my hometown of Memphis, who served as national treasurer of the late Jesse Turner, Sr., and others have fought the good fight for the NAACP, and they continue to do so as the moral conscience of this Congress in lobbying for legislation that this Congress needs to pass. They published a report card on the work of this Congress, and it does hold people up to account for the works that they have done in these years. They helped me in passing a policy for slavery in Jim Crow. I appreciate their work. I am proud, and I ask my colleagues to join with me in voting for the resolution. Mr. POE of Texas. I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Farr). Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I am a proud lifelong member of the NAACP, and today, I join my colleagues in celebrating this 100th anniversary. I am especially proud of my local moderate county branch of the NAACP where our chapter was created in 1932, and I believe this chapter ranks as one of the largest per capita branches in the United States, and has been active in education and law for all of these many years. I can tell you we are all better off for it. Our chapter's proudest member is Ben Jealous, now the youngest and, in my opinion, the most dynamic president of the NAACP. As we recognize the great achievements of one of America's best organizations, let us not forget that the struggle continues. We still face discrimination in our communities, in our schools and in the workplace. It is a struggle that requires continuing education and legal action. The NAACP offers us many examples as we continue on our path towards solving our racial troubles. Even the founders of the NAACP offer an important lesson on how such a diverse group can accomplish so much. The men and women--black and white, from different backgrounds and from different careers and from different religions--these people came together to create a force for good. I want to thank the NAACP for 100 years of hard work. God bless your president and his family as he leads us into the next century of fighting for human and civil rights. We congratulate you on this historic day. I'm a proud lifelong member of the NAACP, and today I join my colleagues in celebrating its 100th anniversary. I am especially proud of my local Monterey County Branch of the NAACP, where our chapter was created in 1932. My chapter ranks as one of the largest per capita branches in the United States and has been active in education and law--and we're all better for it. The Fort Ord Army training base in Seaside, Calif., was the first military base in the United States to be integrated in 1947. It was one of the largest bases in the United States to conduct training for Korea, Vietnam and many other conflicts. Now that base is closed, it's site is home to the newest campus of the California State University system--due in part to the fine work of the NAACP. And our chapter's proudest member is Ben Jealous, now the youngest-- and in my opinion the most dynamic--national president of the NAACP. As we recognize the great achievements of one of America's best organizations, let us not [[Page 3490]] forget that the struggle continues. We still have discrimination in our communities, in our schools and in the workplace. It's a struggle that requires continuing education and legal action. Luckily, we have the rich history of the NAACP that offers us so many examples of how to proceed. One of the best is the group of individuals who founded the group. It shows us how such a diverse group can accomplish so much. Along with a life of activism, W. E. B. Du Bois was a noted professor and writer. Archibald Grimke, the son of a slave owner and slave, was a journalist and lawyer. Henry Moskowitz was a Jewish physician. Mary White Ovington and Oswald Garrison Villard spent their lives writing. William English Walling, born into a former slaveholding family, once served as a factory inspector. And Ida B. Wells was also a noted women's rights activist. America is the country where dreams come true. Certainly the world has seen such with the election of Barack Obama. But the work will never end until peace and justice are available to everyone. I want to thank the NAACP for 100 years of hard work. You've made America a stronger and better nation. And your work continues. God bless your president, Ben Jealous, as he leads us into the next century of fighting for human and civil rights. We congratulate you on this historic day. Mr. POE of Texas. I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would yield 4 minutes to the honorable gentleman from the great State of Virginia, Mr. Bobby Scott, who is also the Chair of the Crime Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee. Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I am delighted to recognize the NAACP on its 100th anniversary. The NAACP holds a very special meaning to me because I have been a long-time active member of the group. I have had the honor of being Virginia's first individual Golden Heritage Life Member and Virginia's first Diamond Life Member, the organization's highest individual membership level. In addition, I have had the honor of serving as president of the Newport News, Virginia branch of the NAACP. The NAACP is an organization that has made a difference from the very beginning. In 1909, 60 prominent Americans, including Ida B. Wells- Barnett and W.E.B. Du Bois, met on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln to discuss racial violence and social justice. Out of that meeting, the NAACP was born with the goal of securing rights, liberties and protections for all Americans as guaranteed by the Constitution. Since its inception, the NAACP has worked tirelessly to continuing looking for ways to improve the democratic process and by seeking the enactment and the enforcement of Federal, State and local laws that secure civil rights. The NAACP furthers its mission by making the public aware of adverse effects of racial discrimination and by seeking its elimination. The NAACP also seeks to educate the public about their constitutional rights, and it goes to court to enforce those rights when necessary. The NAACP has a long and impressive history of activism. It has contributed greatly to shaping America as we know it today. One of its first legislative initiatives was anti-lynching legislation in the early 1990s. In the 1940s, the NAACP was influential in President Roosevelt's decision to issue an executive order prohibiting discrimination in contracts with the Department of Defense. The NAACP was very instrumental in President Truman's decision to issue an executive order ending all discrimination in the military. In 1946, the NAACP won the Morgan v. Virginia case where the Supreme Court banned States from having segregated facilities on buses and trains that crossed State borders. In 1948, the NAACP pressured President Truman into signing an executive order banning all discrimination in the Armed Forces. In 1954, the NAACP won its landmark case of Brown v. Board of Education, declaring separate but equal unconstitutional. The NAACP is what the late Bishop Stephen Gill Spotswood, the former national board chairman, has called ``the oldest, largest, most effective, most consulted, most militant, most feared, and most loved of all civil rights organizations in the world.'' Bishop Spotswood's statement remains true today. Even in the 21st century, the NAACP continues to be a strong advocate for fairness and equality. Recently, the NAACP was deeply involved in protesting the Jena 6 controversy where the efforts of the NAACP and others provided justice for the students in that case. The NAACP continues their work on eliminating racial injustice. It continues to act as a watchdog to protect the civil rights of all people, and it educates the public about civil rights so that future generations will know that tolerance and equality are the norm rather than the exception. Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the NAACP and its people on 100 years of service to our great country, and I wish them another successful century of service. Mr. POE of Texas. I continue to reserve the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from Texas has 13 minutes remaining. The gentleman from Georgia has 4\1/2\ minutes remaining. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I will yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois, the honorable Danny Davis. {time} 1800 Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding, and I also want to commend the gentleman from Texas, Representative Green, for his introduction of this resolution. I rise to be in agreement with all of those who have edified the examples of tremendous leadership provided by the NAACP. On a personal note, though, I want to commend my wife, Vera, who is the chairman of our local Westside Branch NAACP, and Mr. Karl Brinson, who is the president. They do outstanding work and have continued to do so. I also want to commend Hilary Shelton for the tremendous job that he has done over the years keeping us informed. And so I commend the NAACP on its 100th anniversary. Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would yield 1 minute at this time to the honorable gentleman from the State of Virginia, Mr. Tom Perriello. Mr. PERRIELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 100th anniversary of the NAACP as it celebrates its centennial. Since its founding in 1909, the NAACP has been a tireless crusader against racial discrimination, and it has continuously called our great Nation towards an ever-expanding horizon of liberty and justice for all. Often with support and protection from the NAACP, countless brave citizens of my district joined the great American struggle for civil rights. From slavery and segregation, through massive resistance and Bloody Monday marches, our area has passed through dark nights always to emerge at the dawn of a new era of equality. I thank the NAACP, its staff, and its members for remaining true to our Nation's highest ideals. As it embarks on its second century with new leadership and a renewed commitment to human rights, I congratulate the NAACP on this landmark year in its history and extend our deep appreciation for victories won and those that remain before us. Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, we have no additional speakers at this time, and if the gentleman yields back the balance of his time, I will do the same. Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my good friend and fellow judge from Texas (Mr. Green) for introducing this legislation, an individual I've known for now over 30 years and have been through a lot together back in the State of Texas and proud to see that he has introduced this legislation. [[Page 3491]] With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I, too, would like to commend Congressman Green for his efforts in introducing this legislation, and I look forward to its passage. Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, this historic year marks both the inauguration of this country's first African-American president, Barack Obama, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (N.A.A.C.P.) 100th anniversary. February 12, 1909 was chosen as the founding date of the N.A.A.C.P. to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln's 100th birthday, with the hopes of realizing his vision of a unified nation overcoming racial and ethnic hatred and discrimination. The following decades have seen the emergence of new challenges along America's journey towards equality. Yet the N.A.A.C.P. has persisted and has overcome these obstacles. It currently bears witness to numerous advancements that may have never taken place had it not been for the collective will of the many N.A.A.C.P. members who were willing to fight for what they believed was right. Without the N.A.A.C.P., it is hard to say where this country would be if it never fought for African-Americans to have increased access to the ballot box. Without the N.A.A.C.P., it is hard to say where this country would be if it never fought against discrimination--from schooling to housing, and from marriage to employment. After all, the NAACP's Legal department, headed by Charles Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall, undertook a campaign spanning several decades to bring about the reversal of the ``separate but equal'' doctrine enshrined in the Supreme Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson. Without the N.A.A.C.P., it is hard to say where this great country would be if it were not for the courageous men and women who risked their lives and livelihoods in order to promote the rights of everyone, regardless of the color of their skin. In fact, it is hard to imagine such an America without the N.A.A.C.P. My life and the life of this nation would be much different if it were not for the organization's efforts to tear down the barriers of racial discrimination and hatred. The N.A.A.C.P.'s work, however, is not yet finished. If the last century is any indication though, as long as there is an N.A.A.C.P., all Americans will continue to have a powerful advocate for fairness, equality, and justice. Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Con. Res 35 ``Honoring and praising the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its 100th anniversary.'' Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res 35 recognizes the 100th anniversary of the historic founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and honors and praises the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on the occasion of its anniversary for its work to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res 35 because of the impact that the NAACP has had on me and other minorities across this great nation. First organized in 1905, the group came to be known as the Niagara Movement when it began meeting at hotel situated on the Canadian side of the Niagara Falls. The group first met in Canada because the U.S. hotels were segregated. Under the leadership of Harvard scholar W.E.B. DuBois, the group later went on to become known as the National Negro Committee. It was not the date of the organization's second conference in 1910 that it formally adopted the name the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. The mission of the association was clearly delineated in its charter: To promote equality of rights and to eradicate caste or race prejudice among the citizens of the United States; to advance the interest of colored citizens; to secure for them impartial suffrage; and to increase their opportunities for securing justice in the courts, education for the children, employment according to their ability and complete equality before law. Since its inception, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has upheld its mission to fight social injustice and give a voice to the voiceless. The NAACP is among the largest and most prominent mass-membership, civil rights organizations in America. Founded with a mandate to secure equal political, economic and social rights for African Americans, the NAACP has been in the forefront of every major civil rights struggle of the twentieth century. Using a combination of tactics including legal challenges, demonstrations and economic boycotts, the NAACP played an important role in helping end segregation in the United States. The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., (NAACP LDF) a leading civil rights organization based in New York City, began as the legal wing of the NAACP under the leadership of Charles Hamilton Houston, a former professor at Howard University Law School. In 1938, Thurgood Marshall, Houston's student and future Supreme Court justice, succeeded him as NAACP LDF counsel. Marshall further developed the strategies and goals of the legal department, establishing the Legal Defense Fund as an organization totally independent of the NAACP. Among its most significant achievements was the NAACP LDF's challenge to end segregation in public schools. In the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education (1954), the Justices unanimously ruled that separate educational facilities for black and white students were ``inherently unequal.'' That ruling and the Court's subsequent order that public schools be desegregated with ``all deliberate speed'' touched off a firestorm of protest in the South and contributed substantially to the growth of the modern-day civil rights movement. Today, the NAACP has over 500,000 members standing in unity with all who support protecting our constitutionally guaranteed civil rights against all who would oppose protecting these freedoms. Even in my district in Houston, the NAACP seeks to be a voice against injustice for all minorities. The NAACP Houston Branch has a long and rich history championing civil rights in Houston on vital issues such as the desegregation of Houston schools, combating the spread of HIV/ AIDS, and improved access to education and information technology. The NAACP Houston Branch has played an instrumental role in breaking new ground on the path to freedom and equality for Houston's minority community. The branch has been experiencing tremendous growth in recent years while serving the Harris County area through its programs and myriad committees made up of its dedicated staff and volunteer members. Led by an Executive Committee of approximately 25 volunteers, there are approximately 800 members in the Houston Branch. Some of the Houston Branch's programs include collaborations with the City of Houston Health Department in STD prevention and awareness programs, legal assistance in the form of legal consultation and educational seminars, a year-long enrichment program designed to recruit, stimulate, improve and encourage high academic and cultural achievement among African American high school students, and other programs beneficial to minorities across the city of Houston. As a member of the Judiciary Committee, I truly appreciate the support from the NAACP in fighting for the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act. We all know that without the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act, the voting rights of many U.S. citizens would be in jeopardy. When I authored H.R. 745 in the 110th Congress, I am proud to say that with the NAACP's support, my colleagues and I were able to rename the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, Cesar E. Chavez, Barbara C. Jordan, William C. Velasquez, and Dr. Hector P. Garcia Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006. This bill renamed the Voting Rights Act to demonstrate the many faces of the Civil Rights Movement. The bill was renamed to recognize the Hispanics and other persons of color who labored in the vineyards to insure that all receive equal treatment in the United States. Mr. Speaker, H. Con. Res 35 provides for a tribute to celebrate the impact and achievements of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People in their efforts to better the lives of minorities and the community. There is still a need for justice and equal treatment for minorities in our country. I am grateful for the many fights for equality that he organization has won, and thankful that the NAACP will be there in the future to champion the cause of justice wherever and whenever it needs a spokesman. The struggles of the NACCP have helped pave the way for the election this country's first African-American President Barack Obama. During a speech celebrating the NAACP, President Obama declared that ``serving as . . . [P]resident, 100 years after the founding of the NAACP, I will stand up for you the same way that earlier generations of Americans stood up for me--by fighting to ensure that every single one of us has the chance to make it if we try.'' I thank my colleague, Representative Al Green, of Texas, for introducing this important legislation, to ensure that we celebrate, treasure and recognize the African American spiritual as a national treasure and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution. Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the National [[Page 3492]] Association for the Advancement of Colored People on its 100th Anniversary. In 1909 the founders of the NAACP came together with the purpose of promoting the rights guaranteed under the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. Today, the NAACP works to ensure that all individuals have equal rights and to end racial hatred and discrimination. The NAACP has influenced some of the greatest civil rights victories of the last century, including: the integration of our nation's schools and the Brown v. Board decision; the Voting Rights Act; striking down segregation; and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act. It is particularly notable that this year's 100th anniversary also marks the first time in the history of the United States that we have an African-American President. The NAACP helped pave the way for this landmark achievement, and continues to lay the groundwork for future accomplishments in minority communities. Despite the advancements of the past 100 years under the leadership of the NAACP, there is still much work to be done. The NAACP continues to promote new ideas and leadership in the fields of educational and employment opportunities, ending health care disparities, and economic empowerment. The NAACP instilled in America a sense of consciousness, and it continues to do so today. I commend the NAACP on this anniversary and the thousands of individuals who continue to fight for equality and justice. Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, this historic year marks both the inauguration of this country's first African-American president, Barack Obama, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (N.A.A.C.P.) 100th anniversary. February 12, 1909 was chosen as the founding date of the N.A.A.C.P. to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln's 100th birthday, with the hopes of realizing his vision of a unified nation overcoming racial and ethnic hatred and discrimination. The following decades have seen the emergence of new challenges along America's journey towards equality. Yet the N.A.A.C.P. has persisted and has overcome these obstacles. It currently bears witness to numerous advancements that may have never taken place had it not been for the collective will of the many N.A.A.C.P. members who were willing to fight for what they believed was right. Without the N.A.A.C.P., it is hard to say where this country would be if it never fought for African-Americans to have increased access to the ballot box. Without the N.A.A.C.P., it is hard to say where this country would be if it never fought against discrimination--from schooling to housing, and from marriage to employment. After all, the NAACP's Legal department, headed by Charles Hamilton Houston and Thurgood Marshall, undertook a campaign spanning several decades to bring about the reversal of the ``separate but equal'' doctrine enshrined in the Supreme Court's decision in Plessy v. Ferguson. Without the N.A.A.C.P. and the courageous men and women who risked their lives and livelihoods in order to promote the rights of everyone, regardless of the color of their skin, it is hard to say where this great country would be. In fact, it is hard to imagine an America without the N.A.A.C.P. My life and the life of this nation would be much different if it were not for the organization's efforts to tear down the barriers of racial discrimination and hatred. The N.A.A.C.P.'s work, however, is not yet finished. If the last century is any indication though, as long as there is an N.A.A.C.P., all Americans will continue to have a powerful advocate for fairness, equality, and justice. Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to rise and join all Americans of good will in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the NAACP. Others will recall that fate-filled day, February 12, 1909, when 60 prominent Americans, black and white alike, issued ``The Call'' for a national conference to renew ``the struggle for civil and political liberty.'' They also will reflect upon how, back in 1909, this country was unfair to people of color and, especially for African American men, a very dangerous place. The organization's founders, however, were people of deep integrity. They created an organization dedicated to achieving social justice, ending racial violence, abolishing forced segregation and promoting equal opportunity and other civil rights under the protection of law. My gratitude to the NAACP is personal, as well as philosophical. The NAACP--and the movement that its founders created 100 years ago today-- transformed my life. I shall never forget how Juanita Jackson Mitchell and the Baltimore Branch of the NAACP stood up for us as we marched to integrate South Baltimore's Riverside Swimming Pool. It was then that I realized, for the first time in my young life, that I had rights that other people had to respect. Nor shall I forget how a young Thurgood Marshall (who once lived just blocks from where I live today) convinced a Baltimore judge to integrate the University of Maryland School of Law. My law degree and all that I have been able to accomplish in my professional and public life are living testaments to the value of that achievement. Moreover, as long as I shall live and be privileged to serve the people of Maryland's 7th Congressional District, I shall remember that our community--that also gave America former Congressmen Parren J. Mitchell and Kweisi Mfume--now serves as the national home of the NAACP. So it is with deep appreciation and respect that I join millions of my countrymen and women in applauding the NAACP and pledging our continued support in the days and years ahead. I do so at a historic moment when we have come together to elect a gifted African American to the highest office in the land. Yet, even as we celebrate this victory of competence and conscience, America remains a dangerous and unfair place for far too many of our neighbors, whatever may be the color of their skin. Like W.E.B. DuBois and the other founders back in 1909, we, too, must answer the call. In our own time, we must continue the work of creating a better, more unified nation--an America that will truly assure liberty, justice and opportunity for all. We, too, have a legacy of justice and opportunity to create--for our children and for the generations of Americans yet to be born. Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate and honor the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP. Today, February 12, 2009, marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the NAACP and the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. For a Nation that is less than 250 years old, the centennial of the NAACP is a major milestone. I shudder to imagine what this country would look like if our history did not include the stories and struggles of people like Frederick Douglass, Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our own Representative John Lewis, and many countless others who have fought and continue to fight for equal rights and equal opportunity. The NAACP's roots date back to the ``Niagra Movement'' of 1905 when thirty-two prominent African Americans met to organize and call for the end of racial inequality. A forceful agent for change, the NAACP was the leading party behind many accomplishments of the Civil Rights Movement, including the landmark case Brown v. the Board of Education which ended racial segregation in our schools. The Niagra and Civil Rights Movements were not the first calls for freedom and equality in our nation's history and will not be the last. But their success provided a blueprint for future generations to follow, an example of hope to all those who seek to secure the basic freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution. Today, the NAACP continues to cement its reputation as a trailblazer for basic civil and human rights. Led by its young new president, Benjamin Jealous, the NAACP has refocused its objectives on resolving wide disparities in access to jobs and healthcare among Americans. During the next 100 years, I have no doubt that the NAACP will lead many more breakthroughs in civil and human rights. This anniversary gives all Americans an opportunity to recognize and learn about African-American history, which is also the history of the United States. I am proud to do my part to promote and honor the contributions made by the NAACP and the African American community to our great Nation. Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as a co-sponsor and strong supporter of H. Con. Res. 35, a resolution to recognize the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and acknowledge the numerous contributions of the NAACP in helping create a more just and equitable society. The NAACP is the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States. For the past 100 years, the association has fought actively and fervently for equal justice for all Americans under the idea that all men and women are created equal. In February 1909, a handful of courageous and fearless citizens-- including Ida Wells Barnett, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villiard, William English Walling, Henry Moscowitz and W.E.B. Du Bois-- formed the [[Page 3493]] National Negro Committee with the intent of addressing the social, economic and political rights of African-Americans. This organization would later become the NAACP, and for the next century would dedicate itself to eliminating racial hatred and ending racial discrimination. The NAACP has accomplished and will continue to accomplish great things for our nation. In 1954, the NAACP achieved one of its greatest victories in the Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka case when the Supreme Court overturned segregation in the nation's public schools. This decision rendered ``separate but unequal'' unconstitutional. More importantly it helped to break down the barriers that divided the nation. Through nonviolent methods such as protests, marches and media outreach the NAACP was instrumental in moving President Truman's Executive Order banning discrimination in the armed forces. The NAACP also played an active role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The NAACP continues to fight for the rights of Americans confined to the corners of our society. The NAACP maintains active branches nationwide, including one in the 12th District of New Jersey, located in Trenton. I am grateful to the NAACP members who live in my Congressional District including Edith Savage-Jennings, a pioneer of the civil rights movement. The work they do to continue to advance the struggle for civil rights in our country is an inspiration to us all. The NAACP gracefully and tirelessly has fought for the political, social, economic, and educational rights of all Americans, and has sought to ensure that our nation recognized the inalienable rights of all citizens, regardless of race, class, or ethnicity. They have paved the way for some of our most celebrated leaders like my good friend John Lewis and President Barack Obama to accomplish what they have. Moving forward the NAACP will shift its focus to ensure the attainment of human rights for all; a noble, honorable and needed effort. The enormity of the NAACP's contributions these past 100 years is immeasurable, and I am certain that the next 100 years will produce more accomplishments and milestones for this historic and vital organization. I am proud to join with my colleagues in supporting this resolution. Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, I rise with respect and admiration to honor the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on the occasion of it's 100th anniversary, and support H. Con. Res. 35. The struggle for racial equality has been and continues to be one of the greatest testaments of America's progress throughout its history. The NAACP was founded February 12, 1909 to ensure that the voices of all people of color are heard. The NAACP has a strong legacy of pioneers such as W.E.B. DuBois, Thurgood Marshall, Rosa Parks, Mary McLeod Bethune, Mary White Ovington, Joel Elias Spingarn and Roy Wilkins, along with the countless others of diverse ethnicities who have worked tirelessly to fulfill the NAACP's mission. Through tireless work and often great personal sacrifice, the members and leadership of the NAACP have fought for justice, to ensure political, educational, social and economic rights for all peoples. While there is still significant work to be done, these efforts have helped to mold the America we have today. I am proud to be a cosponsor of H. Con. Res. 35, and I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting it. Mr. SOUDER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Con. Res. 35, honoring the contributions of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, NAACP, and specifically to pay tribute to the Fort Wayne/Allen County Branch that serves the citizens of northeast Indiana. As we celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the NAACP, it is important to take time to look back on its accomplishments. Throughout its history the NAACP has advanced the cause of civil rights and stirred the conscience of our nation. Mr. Speaker, whether it was standing side by side with Rosa Parks, helping to outlaw the evil practice of lynching, or helping victims of Hurricane Katrina get back on their feet, the NAACP has stood as a ``voice'' and a ``shield'' for minority Americans. Mr. Speaker, from its humble beginnings in a hotel room across from Niagara Falls, to its current operations across the country, the NAACP has grown with our nation. Over the years, it has stayed true to its mission of eliminating racial hatred and racial discrimination. In northeastern Indiana the NAACP, under the new leadership of the Reverend Bill McGill, has dedicated itself to improving the lives of local minority youth. Mr. Speaker, in these difficult economic times the NAACP helps provide these youth with the opportunity they deserve and ensures the promise of our nation extends to all our citizens. This past January I was pleased to host members of the local branch of the NAACP for the Presidential inauguration, and I was once again struck by their commitment to solving the problems facing our nation. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 35 and urge my colleagues to join me in praising the work of the NAACP and its members in northeast Indiana. Mr. KUCINICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 100th Anniversary of the NAACP, which was founded on February 12th, 1909. For the past century, the NAACP has served as the driving force behind the American civil rights movement, as its founders, leaders and members risked everything to tear down the walls of ignorance and racism, demanding freedom, empowerment, opportunity and justice for all. With a membership of a half-million strong, the NAACP membership represents communities across the country. The organization was formed partly in reaction to the unconscionable practice of lynching and also in response to the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois. Horrified at the violence aimed at African Americans, a small group of concerned citizens met to discuss and find ways to address racial injustice and the NAACP was formed. Founding members included Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villard, Dr. Henry Moscovitz, Jane Addams and Charles Darrow. The stated goals included securing the rights of all people as guaranteed in the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments of the United States Constitution. The NAACP was the principle legal advocate for numerous groundbreaking civil rights advancements, including the 1930 anti- lynching bill, the Dyer Bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives but not the U.S. Senate. Shortly thereafter, the NAACP published a report entitled, ``Thirty Years of Lynching in the United States,'' which drastically decreased the incidence of lynching after its release. The impact of the NAACP's support of the civil rights movement is evidenced in numerous landmark court decisions, most notably, in Brown v. Board of Education, wherein the brilliant attorney, Thurgood Marshall, who later served as the NAACP's Chief Counsel and also as a United States Supreme Court Justice, argued his case against school segregation, and won. Mr. Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honor and recognition of the members, past and present, of the NAACP, as they celebrate 100 years of service and sacrifice focused on protecting the rights of minority citizens, thereby raising our nation upon a platform where human rights and civil rights are protected for all. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, as we recognize February as Black History Month, I wish to take a moment to celebrate the NAACP on the occasion of its 100th anniversary. Over the past century, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, or NAACP, has played a vital role in the progress of the African American community. This organization has advocated faithfully for decreasing racial disparities in the areas of healthcare, education, employment, criminal justice, and poverty. The NAACP is the Nation's largest and oldest civil rights organization. Through grass root efforts, the organization has influenced policy from the homes and communities of citizens to the voting booths and the classrooms around America. The NAACP has involved many, from children and ordinary citizens, to our Nation's elected officials and Presidents. The dedication of the NAACP and its fight for social justice has involved great leadership. The NAACP has played a significant role in many civil rights victories. Its persistent protests and steadfast support for anti- lynching legislation was critical to making this horrible practice illegal. Similarly, its members championed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that guaranteed that no person could be denied the right to vote because of his or her race. It also has served as a strong watchdog to uphold the spirit and letter of these laws at the State and local levels. Clearly, the NAACP's involvement politically has contributed to the progress of America by saving lives and empowering minority communities. Ida B. Wells, a prominent civil rights activist and resident of Illinois, was the co-founder of the NAACP. Wells is most known for her journalism. Her writing received the interest of both blacks and whites. After being banned from the South for speaking out about lynching and the government's refusal to stop the violence, Ms. Wells moved to Chicago. While in Chicago, she married Ferdinand Barnett and together they had four children. Her nickname, ``the Constant Star'' provides a testament to her relentless fight for social justice and equality. The NAACP has embodied her [[Page 3494]] nickname by remaining constant in its efforts in promoting equality for all. The NAACP has grown considerably since its inception. Today, the NAACP has over 500,000 members with more than 1,300 national and international branches, and over 45 branches in the State of Illinois. Recently, three students from the Chicago Westside Branch, located in the Seventh Congressional District, won at the 2008 National ACT-SO competition. The ACT-SO program, founded by the NAACP, is a year-long program that is used to enrich African American high school students' lives by encouraging high academic and cultural achievement. This program allows students to compete in various areas ranging from the sciences to visual and performing arts. Thus, I would like to recognize Terrence George, Eric Clark, and Aeriel Robinson for their brilliance and hard work. I commend the NAACP on its commitment to the African American community and its political, economic, social, and educational efforts in promoting social change. I tip my hat to the first centennial anniversary and look forward to its second. Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) for providing 100 years of legal advocacy and justice for all Americans. One hundred years ago today a coalition of activists, scholars, and intellectuals of various shades gathered together to challenge our United States to live up to the words of the Constitution for all Americans. This founding group was diverse in ethnicity but united in their thirst for equality. The catalyst behind the group's formation was the 1908 racial attacks against Blacks in Springfield, Illinois, the state capital and the birthplace of President Abraham Lincoln. Disheartened by the violence, which took the lives of two Blacks and five accidental Whites; the group formally organized on February 12, 1909, the birthday of President Lincoln. A year later, the national office of the NAACP was opened in New York City. W.E.B DuBois founding publisher of The Crisis, the organization's official publication, was instrumental in attracting distinguished African-American literary figures who became the voice of the Harlem Renaissance. The iconic scholar also became the intellectual leader and voice of the NAACP, where he took a strong position in demanding full integration for his people over Booker T. Washington's policy of accommodation. Due to the rabid racism of the day, the organization grew quickly and reached the peak of its membership during the civil rights struggles of the 1950's and 1960's. Rosa Parks, secretary of the NAACP chapter in Montgomery, Alabama, triggered the famous boycott of the bus system by refusing to give up her seat. The NAACP's greatest achievements were in the courtroom, where it challenged many of the laws that enshrined segregation. One of the best known cases was Brown vs. Board of Education, which in 1954 challenged the ``separate but equal'' doctrine that was the bulwark of the nation's segregationist policies. Thurgood Marshall, special counsel to the NAACP, led legal arguments before the Supreme Court in that case, as well as many other laws that promoted segregation. Marshall would go on to become the first African-American Justice on the Supreme Court. The NAACP fought against lynchings, Jim Crow laws, and otherwise challenged the system of laws which denied full citizenship for Blacks. The election of President Barack Obama represents a culmination of the NAACP's efforts over the years, particularly in gaining full voting rights for African-Americans. The work of the NAACP has not been without danger. Many NAACP members and staff have been victims of racial violence. Perhaps the best known, was the assassination of Medgar Evers, the NAACP field secretary in Mississippi, in 1962. The NAACP has many heroes across the country who have sacrificed in order to fulfill our nation's promise of democracy and freedom. Among the organization's heroes are my good friends, Hazel Dukes and Percy Sutton. Ms. Dukes participated in many NAACP marches and was arrested several times as a protester. She has also served as president of a New York chapter and national president of the organization. Percy Sutton, a long time member and former president of the NAACP, represented many civil rights workers, including Malcolm X. I salute them for their dedication to this organization. Ben Jealous, the new leader of the NAACP, has pointed out a new set of challenges to be addressed in the years ahead. Among them are racial injustices in the criminal justice system, improving educational resources, and removing any remaining obstacles to economic development. The challenges may be different from those addressed during the first 100 years, but they are no less important. Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you and my colleagues in joining me in honoring the NAACP for 100 years of distinguished service to our country. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Johnson) that the House suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Con. Res. 35. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be postponed. The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn. ____________________