Senate Passes Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04) Bill to Preserve Historic Accounts of the Civil Rights Movement

Press Release

Senate Passes Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (NY-04) Bill to Preserve Historic Accounts of the Civil Rights Movement

On Friday April 24, 2009, the Senate passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4) in the US House of Representative that would catalogue and preserve the stories and experiences of Americans who were involved with the civil rights movement. The bill, H. R. 586, the Civil Rights Oral History Project, will create a joint effort between the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Library of Congress to collect oral histories of the people that were involved in the civil rights movement and preserve their stories for future generations. The bill passed the House on April 22, 2009 by a vote of 422 to 0.

"The fight for civil rights was one of the most significant social and cultural movements in our nation's history, and this project will help future generations understand the struggle to make the dream of equality and freedom a reality for all Americans," said Rep. McCarthy.

The goal of the Civil Rights Oral History Project is to collect video and audio recordings of those who participated in the civil rights movement, providing a historic catalogue of this historic period.

"While we know so much about the lives of the leaders of the civil rights movement, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Congressman John Lewis, and Thurgood Marshall, it is important that we learn about the everyday people of all races who took a stand during a pivotal time in our nation's history. There were so many people who were crucial to the civil rights movement, but have not had as much recorded about their experiences for the public record," said Rep. McCarthy.

Last year the House passed the Civil Right Oral History Project, but the bill was not considered by the Senate. The Senate passage was the final step in the legislative process for the bill and it will now be sent to President Obama for his signature.

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