Tribute to Rosa Parks

TRIBUTE TO ROSA PARKS -- (Extensions of Remarks - October 28, 2005)

* Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of one of the most important figures in our Nation's history: Mrs. Rosa Parks. In 1955, this courageous and gallant young lady took a stand. Or more correctly, took a seat, on a public bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her refusal to give up her seat to a white man may have resulted in a disorderly conduct conviction and a $14 fine. But her refusal to move to the back of the bus ignited a flame that started a revolution. She brought forth change among the American people. The consequences and significance of her stand makes her a true hero in American history.

* We always hear how Mrs. Parks refused to give up her seat because she was tired from a long day of work, but this is only a half truth. Yes, she was tired. But Rosa Parks' weariness came not only from a hard day's work, but also from years of discrimination that she and our people faced daily due to the racist and segregationist laws of our country. She knew that blacks were required to give their seats to white passengers if there were no more empty seats. But Rosa Parks made a conscious decision to fight. All of us here today, white, brown, black and blue, are better off today because Rosa Parks said, ``No.''

* Rosa Parks' arrest served as a catalyst for a massive 381 day boycott of the public buses in Montgomery, which was led by another great individual, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. During this time, African Americans would carpool, walk, bike, taxi, or do whatever else they had to do to get to their various destinations. They did everything, but ride the bus. Despite the harassment that everyone involved in the civil rights movement faced, the boycott continued and was successful. Resolution was finally achieved in 1956 when the case was brought to court, and the segregation of buses was ruled unconstitutional. As we all know, what Rosa Parks jump started in 1955, eventually led to passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights act of 1965.

* During her lifetime, Mrs. Parks worked for the equality of not just black people, but all people. She was elected secretary of the Montgomery branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, unsuccessfully attempted to vote many times to prove her point of discrimination, and founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development, an organization which aids in the social and educational development of our youth.

* Rosa Parks demonstrated that one person can help so many other people by standing up for what they believe in. While we grieve her death, we also celebrate her life. We must remember her actions inspired others to dream more, learn more, and do more. With that, we all become more. A great man once said, ``All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common; it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership.'' Great leaders of the time, such as Rosa Parks, were tired of the inequality, and tired of the disparity that African Americans were facing at that time.

* She challenged; she led; she served; and she inspired. Rosa Parks died with honor and principle. We have, but no other option, to live our lives in a manner which honors and mirrors the virtues she pursued with absolute courage and bravery.

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