Authorizing Use of Rotunda for Ceremony Commemorating 50th Anniversary of Enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

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Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support today of House Concurrent Resolution 100, authorizing the use of the rotunda of the Capitol for a ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

It is certainly fitting that we take pause and recognize the passage of this historic landmark legislation that was passed into law and the events in our Nation that called upon its leaders to act all those years ago.

The passage of the Civil Rights Act was a major step forward for America that finally allowed our great Nation to truly live up to its creed found in the Declaration of Independence that all men are created equal.

188 years following the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, 99 years after the conclusion of the Civil War, and after decades of struggle by great leaders like Martin Luther King and so many Americans who fought valiantly, broad bipartisan majorities of both Houses of Congress came together to ensure equality for every American.

The passage of the Civil Rights Act was a very proud moment for the House of Representatives because America faced a time of choosing in 1964, and together, our Congress rallied and voted to strengthen individual protections and rights, and voted to end discrimination and segregation 50 years ago.

The Civil Rights Act still remains one of the most important pieces of legislation that has ever been debated in our Chamber and instituted across our great Nation, not only for people of color or different nations of origin, but for each and every American, regardless of gender or socioeconomic status or their religious background.

Our Nation has a very vibrant and rich history, and that moment, 50 years ago, when many different people of various walks of life joined together and, in one voice, called for equality stands as one of the most monumental in our history.

Our Nation stood as a witness to those who led and participated in civil rights protests such as the March on Washington, sit-ins at lunch counters, and maintaining one's seat on a bus and refusing to move solely based on one's color of one's skin.

Fifty years ago, so many risked prison or worse to overcome huge odds and stand for what they truly believed must be changed. Their contributions reverberated across every State and every town and every home. Many took up roles as spokespersons, using their talents or what was available to them to make peaceful statements. Several have joined this Chamber as Members.

I see John Lewis has joined us today, and I am just very proud to be able to serve with a man of his historic background and distinguished service to our Nation, Mr. Speaker.

These people were pillars, absolutely pillars of strength. They used their courage to meet injustice head-on, and they are memorialized in the history that we carry forward. The actions of those individuals called on every citizen of our Nation to recognize and to listen to the struggles of others and to support the call for a change to our laws.

So many individuals from all walks of life rose up and lifted their voices to add to the call for change in our Nation, and they stood for all of those who were to come after them in the next generation and for the betterment of their lives.

They brought their concerns to the forefront of our political stage and they spoke for all of us, men, women, rich or poor.

In my home State of Michigan, Mr. Speaker, we were blessed to have so many great leaders in this movement, but one of those individuals was truly a civil rights icon who became a treasured member of our community. Rosa Parks inspired countless Americans with her grace, her dignity and strength, and through the simple yet profound act of refusing to give up her seat on a bus, she continued her advocacy for equality and freedom and inspired so many others who have carried the cause for individual rights forward to this very day.

She also has a connection to this House with another Member of Congress as well, a Michigan colleague of mine, John Conyers, who was also a recognized leader in the civil rights movement.

As we mark this 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, we remember the efforts, the struggles, and the achievement of those who stood for equal rights. They saw to it that America will make good on its promise for every individual to obtain justice, freedom, and equality.

It is certainly fitting, Mr. Speaker, that the House and the Senate join together later this month to formally remember and pay tribute to our Nation's civil rights attaining this milestone.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute to say that the gentleman from Georgia, Representative Lewis, mentioned the term ``heroes.'' He truly is a hero, an American hero, a treasure.

In the 12 years I have been honored to be a Member of Congress, anytime I hear him come to the floor and talk about civil rights, someone who has actually lived it, I wish I could take him home and have him talk to groups of schoolchildren, and I know he does that in his own district and around the country.

Because every time the gentleman from Georgia, as well as Representative Clyburn and so many others come to this floor to talk about the civil rights movement, it really is very moving, and it makes us all think about, before we are anything, we are Americans first, and he truly is a hero.

I will continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I would certainly urge all of my colleagues, as well, to support this resolution, which will authorize the use of the rotunda of the United States Capitol Building for a ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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