June 11, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6187 Today, Lake Lanier provides power When completed, the total cost of Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, I production, flood control, water sup- construction, including land acquisi- urge passage of the resolution, and I ply, navigation, fish and wildlife man- tion, was almost $45 million. When the yield back the balance of my time. agement, and recreational activities to gates of the dam were closed in 1956, it The SPEAKER pro tempore. The members of the surrounding commu- took more than 3 years for the lake to question is on the motion offered by nities and businesses. This week in reach its normal elevation of 1,070 feet the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. June is a suitable time to recognize above sea level. ALTMIRE) that the House suspend the Lake Lanier’s contributions to the The lake is named for one of the Na- rules and agree to the resolution, H. area and accomplishments. As summer tion’s most famous poets, Sidney La- Res. 354. heat begins to spread across the Na- nier. Born in Georgia in 1842, Mr. La- The question was taken; and (two- tion, both water supply and cooling nier entered Oglethorpe College at 14 thirds being in the affirmative) the water recreational activities are on years of age, graduating at the top of rules were suspended and the resolu- many minds. his class in 1860. tion was agreed to. More than 60 percent of the popu- While serving on the blockade runner A motion to reconsider was laid on lation of the State of Georgia relies on ‘‘Lucy’’ during the Civil War, Mr. La- the table. water stored in Lake Lanier or down nier was captured and contracted tu- f the Chattahoochee River. Similarly, berculosis while imprisoned in Mary- properties around the lake and down land. Following the Civil War, Mr. La- RECOGNIZING 40TH ANNIVERSARY the river rely on its banks and dam for nier played the flute for the Peabody OF LOVING V. VIRGINIA LEGAL- flood control. Symphony and lectured at Johns Hop- IZING INTERRACIAL MARRIAGE Nearly 8 million visitors come annu- kins University. Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I move ally to appreciate the scenery and lei- While he is known for works like to suspend the rules and agree to the sure opportunities provided by the ‘‘The Harlequin of Dreams,’’ ‘‘In Ab- resolution (H. Res. 431) recognizing the lake. In fact, Lake Lanier holds the sence,’’ ‘‘Acknowledgement,’’ and 40th anniversary of Loving v. Virginia title of the most-visited Army Corps ‘‘Sunrise,’’ he is best remembered for legalizing interracial marriage within lake in the entire country. Facilities ‘‘The Song of the Chattahoochee,’’ an the United States. include 10 marinas and 57 parks for enduring legacy for the native Geor- The Clerk read the title of the resolu- swimming, boating, fishing and pic- gian. tion. nicking. In 1996, Lake Lanier hosted I urge all of our Members to support The text of the resolution is as fol- the paddling and rowing competitions this legislation. lows: for the Summer Olympics in Atlanta. Mr. OBERSTAR. Madam Speaker, I rise in H. RES. 431 And several years ago, the Marine support of H. Res. 354, recognizing the year Trade Association of Metro Atlanta Whereas the first anti-miscegenation law 2007 as the official 50th anniversary celebra- in the United States was enacted in Mary- found that Lake Lanier has an eco- tion of the beginnings of marinas, power pro- nomic impact of $5.5 billion. land in 1661; duction, recreation, and boating on Lake Sid- I urge my colleagues to join with me Whereas miscegenation was typically a fel- ney Lanier, Georgia. ony under State laws prohibiting interracial and the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Lake Lanier is named after Sidney Clopton marriage punishable by imprisonment or DEAL) in supporting House Resolution Lanier, a poet and musician who was born in hard labor; 354 to honor the impacts, accomplish- Macon, Georgia, in 1842. After participating in Whereas in 1883, the Supreme Court held in ments and continuing success of Lake battle during the Civil War, and being captured Pace v. Alabama that anti-miscegenation Lanier on its 50th anniversary. laws were consistent with the equal protec- Madam Speaker, I reserve the bal- and imprisoned in Point Lookout, Maryland, tion clause of the 14th Amendment as long as ance of my time. Mr. Lanier contracted tuberculosis, which the punishments given to both white and Mr. LATOURETTE. Madam Speaker, would affect him for the rest of his life. black violators are the same; I yield myself such time as I may con- Mr. Lanier’s life was one of practicality and Whereas in 1912, a constitutional amend- sume. beauty: while he practiced law to support his ment was proposed in the House of Rep- Madam Speaker, today we recognize wife and four children, he was also the first resentatives prohibiting interracial marriage ‘‘between negroes or persons of color and the 50th anniversary of Lake Sidney flutist in the Peabody Orchestra in Baltimore, Maryland, and an accomplished poet. The Caucasians’’; Lanier, an Army Corps of Engineers fa- Whereas in 1923, the Supreme Court held in cility located in the State of Georgia. Lake was named after Mr. Lanier because of Meyer v. Nebraska that the due process Lake Lanier is one of 464 lakes in 43 the way he positively portrayed the Chattahoo- clause of the 14th Amendment guarantees States constructed and operated by the chee River in his poetry. the right of an individual ‘‘to marry, estab- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In fact, Lake Lanier itself is a symbol of both lish a home and bring up children’’; Our Nation is blessed with consider- practicality and beauty. It provides crucial Whereas in 1924, Virginia enacted the Ra- able water resources that support our flood control, protecting approximately $2 bil- cial Integrity Act of 1924, which required Nation’s economy and quality of life. lion worth of property in the surrounding area. that a racial description of every person be We need water for our homes, farms Similarly, on June 16, 1957—50 years ago recorded at birth and prevented marriage be- tween ‘‘white persons’’ and non-white per- and factories. Water also supports this week—Buford Dam began producing sons; navigation, generates power and sus- power for the first time. Hydropower continues Whereas in 1948, the California Supreme tains our environment. to flow from these waters to this day. Court overturned the State’s anti-miscege- Congress authorized the Buford Dam Although the lake is one of 464 lakes con- nation statutes, thereby becoming the first Project in 1946 just after the end of the structed and operated by the U.S. Army Corps State high court to declare a ban on inter- Second World War. Groundbreaking for of Engineers, it has won the annual award for racial marriage unconstitutional and mak- the project began in 1950. Constructed ‘‘best operated lake’’ for three separate years: ing California the first State to do so in the by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1990, 1997, and 2002. 20th century; Lake Lanier is a multipurpose, 38,000- While the flood control, water supply, and Whereas the California Supreme Court stated in Perez v. Sharp that ‘‘a member of acre lake that provides flood protec- power production role of Lake Lanier may be any of these races may find himself barred tion, power production, water supply, critical to the continuing livelihood of the com- from marrying the person of his choice and navigation, recreation, and fish and munities in the surrounding area, the lake also that person to him may be irreplaceable. wildlife management. provides beautiful scenery and recreational Human beings are bereft of worth and dig- Nestled in the foothills of the Geor- opportunities that local citizens and visiting nity by a doctrine that would make them as gia Blue Ridge Mountains, Lake Sidney tourists enjoy. The U.S. Army Corps of Engi- interchangeable as trains’’; Lanier is one of America’s favorite neers estimates that more than 7.5 million Whereas by 1948, 38 States still forbade lakes. Over 7.5 million people a year people visit the 692 miles of lake shoreline interracial marriage, and 6 did so by State choose to visit Lake Lanier. With over constitutional provision; each year. Whereas in June of 1958, 2 residents of the 692 miles of shoreline, the lake is well I urge my colleagues to join with me in rec- Commonwealth of Virginia—Mildred Jeter, a known for its aqua-blue colored water, ognizing the 50th anniversary of Lake Lanier. black/Native American woman, and Richard spectacular scenery and variety of rec- Mr. LATOURETTE. Madam Speaker, Perry Loving, a Caucasian man—were mar- reational activities. I yield back the balance of my time. ried in Washington, DC;

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:34 Jun 12, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K11JN7.004 H11JNPT1 bajohnson on PRODPC60 with HOUSE H6188 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 11, 2007 Whereas upon their return to Virginia, nizing that marriage is one of the ‘‘basic of another race resides with the indi- Richard Perry Loving and Mildred Jeter civil rights of man’’ at the heart of the 14th vidual and cannot be infringed by the Loving were charged with violating Vir- Amendment protections. State.’’ ginia’s anti-miscegenation statutes, a felo- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. nious crime; The Loving decision marked a crit- ALTMIRE). Pursuant to the rule, the Whereas the Lovings subsequently pleaded ical step forward in our Nation’s strug- guilty and were sentenced to 1 year in pris- gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. gle toward equal rights for all, particu- on, with the sentence suspended for 25 years BALDWIN) and the gentleman from Iowa larly full marriage equality. According on condition that the couple leave the State (Mr. KING) each will control 20 min- to the U.S. Census Bureau, from 1970 to of Virginia; utes. the year 2000 the percentage of inter- Whereas Leon Bazile, the trial judge of the The Chair recognizes the gentle- racial marriages has increased from 1 case, proclaimed that ‘‘Almighty God cre- woman from Wisconsin. ated the races white, black, yellow, Malay percent of all marriages to more than 5 and red, and he placed them on separate con- GENERAL LEAVE percent. The number of children living tinents. And but for the interference with his Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask in interracial families has quadrupled arrangement there would be no cause for unanimous consent that all Members between 1970 and 2000, going from such marriages. The fact that he separated may have 5 legislative days to revise 900,000 to more than 3 million. Because the races shows that he did not intend for and extend their remarks and to in- of the decision’s profound impact in the races to mix.’’; clude extraneous material on the reso- our society, numerous cities and towns Whereas the Lovings moved to the District lution under consideration. of Columbia, and in 1963 they began a series across this country have already pro- of lawsuits challenging their convictions; The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there claimed June 12 Loving Day in com- Whereas the convictions were upheld by objection to the request of the gentle- memoration of this decision. the State courts, including the Supreme woman from Wisconsin? Indeed, the Supreme Court’s opinion Court of Appeals of Virginia; There was no objection. forcefully rejected the argument em- Whereas the Lovings appealed the decision Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield ployed by Leon Bazile, the trial judge to the Supreme Court of the United States myself such time as I may consume. of the case, who defended his decision on the ground that the Virginia anti-mis- Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong convicting the Lovings as part of God’s cegenation laws violated the Equal Protec- support of H. Res. 431, a resolution I in- tion and Due Process Clauses of the 14th plan. Unfortunately, after 40 years, Amendment and were therefore unconstitu- troduced along with the gentleman similar types of arguments are still tional; from Georgia (Mr. LEWIS), commemo- being employed by a few to deny full Whereas in 1967, the U.S. Supreme Court rating the 40th anniversary of Loving marriage equality to everyone. granted certiorari to Loving v. Virginia and v. Virginia, the landmark Supreme In commemorating the legacy of readily overturned the Lovings’ convictions; Court decision legalizing interracial Loving v. Virginia in ending the ban on Whereas in the unanimous opinion, Chief marriages within the United States. Justice Earl Warren wrote: ‘‘Marriage is one interracial marriage in the United I thank Chairman CONYERS for expe- of the ‘basic civil rights of man,’ funda- States, H. Res. 431 reaffirms the Loving mental to our very existence and sur- dition consideration of this resolution court’s recognition that marriage is vival.... To deny this fundamental free- so it could be brought to the floor be- one of the ‘‘basic civil rights of man’’ dom on so unsupportable a basis as the racial fore the actual date of the anniversary at the heart of the 14th amendment classifications embodied in these statutes, which is tomorrow, June 12. protections. classifications so directly subversive of the In June of 1958, two residents of the I strongly urge my colleagues to sup- principle of equality at the heart of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Mildred port this timely resolution. Fourteenth Amendment, is surely to deprive Jeter, a black Native American all the State’s citizens of liberty without due Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of process of law.’’; woman, and Richard Perry Loving, a my time. Whereas the opinion also stated that ‘‘the Caucasian man, were married in Wash- Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I Fourteenth Amendment requires that the ington, D.C. Upon their return to Vir- yield myself such time as I may con- freedom of choice to marry not be restricted ginia, Richard Perry Loving and Mil- sume. by invidious racial discriminations. Under dred Jeter Loving were charged with I want to thank the gentlewoman our Constitution, the freedom to marry, or violating Virginia’s anti-miscegenation from Wisconsin for presenting this res- not marry, a person of another race resides statutes, which made their marriage a olution to this Congress, and I notice with the individual and cannot be infringed felony. by the State.’’; that many of the statements that she Whereas in 1967, 16 States still had law pro- b 1415 has made have laid out I think the his- hibiting interracial marriage, including Ala- They challenged their convictions, tory of this Loving case very well to bama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, the Congress, and so what I will seek to Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, culminating in the June 12, 1967, U.S. North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Supreme Court opinion in Loving v. do is perhaps just add and fill in per- Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia; Virginia, striking down the remaining haps some of the blanks that may have Whereas Loving v. Virginia struck down anti-miscegenation laws that were still been left, although I’m not convinced the remaining anti-miscegenation laws na- in effect in 16 States. that there are many. tionwide; In the unanimous opinion, the Su- And that is the emphasis on equal Whereas in 2000, Alabama became the last preme Court rejected bigotry against protection and due process clause of State to remove its anti-miscegenation laws interracial relations, recognizing an in- the 14th amendment. I think it was from its statutes; clear when a unanimous decision in the Whereas according to the U.S. Census Bu- dividual’s right to marry under the reau, from 1970 to 2000 the percentage of 14th amendment. Chief Justice Earl Supreme Court in the Loving case, and interracial marriages has increased from 1 Warren wrote: ‘‘Marriage is one of the it isn’t often that you see an issue that percent of all marriages to more than 5 per- ’basic civil rights of man,’ fundamental has been traditionally rooted from the cent; to our very existence and survival . . . time of our Founders up until 1967, Whereas the number of children living in To deny this fundamental freedom on have a unanimous decision of the Su- interracial families has quadrupled between so unsupportable a basis as the racial preme Court, even though it met that 1970 to 2000, going from 900,000 to more than classifications embodied in these stat- resistance at every step of the way 3 million; and throughout the entire appeals process Whereas June 12th has been proclaimed utes, classifications so directly subver- ‘‘Loving Day’’ by cities and towns across the sive of the principle of equality at the until it got to the Supreme Court. country in commemoration of Loving v. Vir- heart of the 14th amendment, is surely Today, it looks like a clear decision. ginia: Now, therefore, be it to deprive all the States’ citizens of It looks easy; it’s simple. None of us Resolved, That the House of Representa- liberty without due process of law.’’ would have any trouble with this Lov- tives— The opinion also stated that ‘‘the ing decision; but, in fact, then it was a (1) observes the 40th Anniversary of the 14th amendment requires that the free- matter of an idea whose time had fi- U.S. Supreme Court decision in Loving v. Virginia; and dom of choice to marry not be re- nally come. (2) commemorates the legacy of Loving v. stricted by invidious racial discrimina- But the Supreme Court laid out very Virginia in ending the ban on interracial tions. Under our Constitution, the free- clear language in their decision that marriage in the United States and in recog- dom to marry, or not marry, a person legislative classifications based on race

VerDate Aug 31 2005 01:34 Jun 12, 2007 Jkt 059060 PO 00000 Frm 00004 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A11JN7.003 H11JNPT1 bajohnson on PRODPC60 with HOUSE June 11, 2007 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H6189 were ‘‘odious to a free people whose in- that congregation is an integrated con- joint resolution re-emphasizing exist- stitutions are founded upon the doc- gregation. ing rules and customs pertaining to the trine of equality,’’ and further con- And so I would say we can’t be for display and use of the flag, especially demned Virginia’s interracial marriage equality if we’re not in support of recommending its display on a number statute. And then the Court concluded: intermarriage. God has created us all of different holidays, including Moth- ‘‘There can be no doubt that restrict- equally, and based upon that, I support er’s Day, the second Sunday in May. ing the freedom to marry solely be- this resolution. I think it’s appropriate Omitted from the list was Father’s cause of racial classifications violates that we bring it today. Day. H.R. 2356 would amend the Fed- the central meaning of the equal pro- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance eral flag code to include Father’s Day, tection clause.’’ of my time. the third Sunday in June, among im- I just appreciate the privilege to em- Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, the Lov- portant holidays on which to fly the phasize those things, and then I’d like ing v. Virginia decision was a mile- American flag. to add then some other thoughts to stone in our continuing efforts to ful- The law now provides that, in addi- this record, Mr. Speaker, and that is fill the original promises of our Con- tion to the important occasions listed that we rightfully celebrate the anni- stitution, fulfilling the blessings of lib- in the flag code, ‘‘the flag should be versary of the landmark decision here erty for all Americans. It is highly fit- displayed on all days.’’ I know that today. The institution of marriage be- ting that we remember and honor the this is the custom in every community tween one man and one woman is older decision on its 40th anniversary. I urge in the United States. than the Nation itself. It predates gov- my colleagues to support this bill. Still, I think that it is important for ernment itself, and it also limits the Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance the flag code to recognize both mothers power of government because tradi- of my time. and fathers, who raise the next genera- tional families are the fundamental The SPEAKER pro tempore. The tion, inculcate them with the values units of our society. question is on the motion offered by they need to be good citizens and good Through them, we pour through that the gentlewoman from Wisconsin (Ms. neighbors. crucible our values from a father and a BALDWIN) that the House suspend the I want to thank our colleague, the mother into the children and the val- rules and agree to the resolution, H. gentleman from Georgia (Mr. SCOTT) ues of our patriotism, our faith, our Res. 431. for his efforts to enact this worthwhile work ethic, our culture. The things we The question was taken; and (two- legislation. eat and the things we do, every compo- thirds being in the affirmative) the And I urge my colleagues to join me nent of our culture and civilization is rules were suspended and the resolu- in supporting this legislation to honor concentrated through those values of tion was agreed to. fathers in the flag code, just as we now those children that we have and that A motion to reconsider was laid on honor mothers. we’re so well-blessed with; and without the table. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. marriage, government would be bound f to expand to take its place and would Mr. KING of Iowa. Mr. Speaker, I try lamely to do so. ENCOURAGING DISPLAY OF THE yield myself such time as I may con- But marriage embraces only one FLAG ON FATHER’S DAY sume. principle, and that is the marriage of a Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I move I rise in support of this legislation union between a man and a woman, to suspend the rules and pass the bill which would add Father’s Day, the and the further distinction of that and (H.R. 2356) to amend title 4, United third Sunday in June, to the list of to have government draw a distinction States Code, to encourage the display holidays listed in the U.S. flag code on between people based upon their eth- of the flag of the United States on Fa- which it’s particularly appropriate to nicity should be abhorrent to a free ther’s Day. fly the American flag. people. The Clerk read the title of the bill. It’s altogether appropriate that Fa- And I stand here, Mr. Speaker, before The text of the bill is as follows: ther’s Day be added to the list of holi- you this afternoon, and I take this po- H.R. 2356 days on which the flag should be flown. sition that I believe we are all created Both fathers and mothers are essential Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- in God’s image, and what He has cre- resentatives of the United States of America in elements to the basic family unit that ated, I believe it’s an insult to Him if Congress assembled, has made America so strong. And so we draw distinctions between His cre- SECTION 1. ADDITIONAL OCCASSION FOR DIS- the flag should be flown proudly on ation. He has also seen to bless us with PLAY OF THE FLAG OF THE UNITED both Father’s Day, as provided by this some specific characteristics that help STATES. bill, and on Mother’s Day, as already us identify one another. And because Section 6(d) of title 4, United States Code, provided in existing law, as a sign of He has seen to bless us with those char- is amended by inserting after ‘‘Flag Day, respect for both mothers and fathers acteristics, and in this case it was skin June 14;’’ the following: ‘‘Father’s Day, third and the essential role the traditional Sunday in June;’’. color, it doesn’t mean it still isn’t a re- family plays in raising new citizens in flection of God’s image. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- our democracy. And I recall stepping into a church in ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from I would add, I want to also thank Port Gibson, Mississippi, the Catholic Wisconsin (Ms. BALDWIN) and the gen- Congressman TODD TIAHRT for bringing church there that was built in 1848 by tleman from Iowa (Mr. KING) each will this initiative to Congress. It’s inter- the hands of some of the family of Jim control 20 minutes. esting to note that there was a class in Bowie, and the priest in that church The Chair recognizes the gentle- his district that when they were study- was Father Tony Pudenz, and he woman from Wisconsin. ing the history and studying the days showed me in the church that this GENERAL LEAVE that the Federal Government encour- church that was built in 1848, the floor Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I ask ages display of the flag, they noticed of the church was built for whites, the unanimous consent that all Members that Father’s Day was missing. They balcony was built for blacks. And just have 5 legislative days to revise and ex- had written a letter to Congressman a week before that, they had buried the tend their remarks on H.R. 2356 and in- TIAHRT asking that he take action on editor of the newspaper who had in 1967 clude extraneous materials in the this, and he has introduced a bill and it taken his white family from the floor RECORD. complements this bill before us. of the church and walked his five chil- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there So I thank him for that and I wanted dren and his wife up there where they objection to the request of the gentle- to emphasize how important it is for sat in the balcony with the African woman from Wisconsin? citizens to weigh in and to reach out Americans, thereby sending a state- There was no objection. and communicate with Members of ment where half of the congregation Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. Speaker, I yield Congress because here’s a perfect ex- walked across the street to the Epis- myself such time as I may consume. ample of how young people saw a gap, copal church where they go to church As part of our Nation’s bicentennial had their voice heard, and we have an to this very day. But the balance of celebration in 1976, Congress passed a opportunity here now to fill that gap.

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