February 10, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1107 Furthermore, Miami has a retention and Butler County, , serves Whereas the Montgomery Bus Boycott was graduation rate that exceeds the national aver- as an economic powerhouse Southwest Ohio, the first large-scale, nonviolent civil rights age for undergraduates, students of color, and the state of Ohio, and the nation with an eco- demonstration of contemporary times in the United States; athletes, and has the highest graduation rate nomic impact of over a billion dollars per year Whereas, following the success of non- in Ohio. Much of Miami’s success is owed to to the state of Ohio. violent protest in the Montgomery Bus Boy- its stellar faculty. As nationally prominent On February 17, 2009, Miami will celebrate cott, Dr. King desired to travel to India to scholars and artists, Miami’s faculty contribute its bicentennial. I congratulate Miami for the deepen his knowledge of Gandhi’s teachings to the university, their own disciplines, and to university’s profound achievements and un- on nonviolent principles; society. In fact, while a faculty member at wavering commitment to liberal arts education Whereas Dr. King, his wife Coretta Scott Miami, William Holmes McGuffey, ‘‘School and the active engagement of its students in King, and Lawrence Reddick, then chairman Master to the Nation,’’ wrote and compiled the both curricular and co-curricular life that has of the history department at Alabama State College, arrived in Bombay, India, on Feb- first 4 McGuffey Eclectic Readers. continually attracted and produced some of ruary 10, 1959 and stayed until March 10, 1959; Additionally, Miami recognizes the opportu- the nation’s brightest faculty, staff, and stu- Whereas Dr. King was warmly welcomed by nities for personal and professional growth dents. I wish Miami the very best in the future. members of Indian society throughout his that living and studying internationally brings. Mr. MCCLINTOCK. I yield back the visit, and met with Prime Minister Pandit With its own campus in Luxembourg, Miami balance of my time. Jawaharlal Nehru, land reform leader Vinoba consistently ranks among the top 25 univer- Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, I yield Bhave, and other influential Indian leaders sities and colleges in the nation for the num- back the balance of my time. to discuss issues of poverty, economic policy, ber of undergraduate students who study The SPEAKER pro tempore. The and race relations; abroad. These abroad opportunities have en- question is on the motion offered by Whereas, while in India, Dr. King spoke about race and equality at crowded univer- abled countless Miami students to develop a the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. sities and at public meetings; broader perspective and keener understanding FUDGE) that the House suspend the Whereas followers of Ghandi’s philosophy, of the world as they contribute to society. rules and agree to the resolution, H. known as satyagrahis, welcomed Dr. King Miami alumni have a history of profound Res. 128, as amended. and praised him for his nonviolent efforts service to the United States, including a Presi- The question was taken. during the Montgomery Bus Boycott, which dent of the United States (the Honorable Ben- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the they saw as a landmark success of principles jamin Harrison); 9 U.S. Senators, including sit- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being of nonviolence outside of India; ting Senator MARIA CANTWELL (D–WA); and 31 in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Whereas the satyagrahis and Dr. King dis- U.S. Representatives, including sitting Mem- cussed Ghandi’s philosophy, known as Ms. FUDGE. Mr. Speaker, on that I Satyagraha, which promotes nonviolence bers, Congressman PAUL RYAN (R–WI) and demand the yeas and nays. and civil disobedience as the most useful Congressman STEVE DRIEHAUS (D–OH). In ad- The yeas and nays were ordered. methods for obtaining political and social dition, Miami students and alumni have The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- goals; achieved the pillar of their professions includ- ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the Whereas the satyagrahis reaffirmed and ing a Poet Laureate, Pulitzer Prize winners, a Chair’s prior announcement, further deepened Dr. King’s commitment to non- National Teacher of the Year, and renowned proceedings on this motion will be violence, and revealed to him the power that journalists. As the nation’s oldest university postponed. nonviolent resistance holds in political and newspaper, the Miami Student has offered social battles; f Whereas the trip to India impacted Dr. students the opportunity to develop their inter- RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVER- King in a profound way, and inspired him to ests and skills in journalism since 1826. use nonviolence as an instrument of social Miami is also committed to creating an envi- SARY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER change to end segregation and racial dis- ronment that teaches student-athletes to excel KING, JR’S VISIT TO INDIA crimination in America throughout the rest in their chosen endeavors. In fact, Miami is Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- of his work during the Civil Rights Move- one of only 4 universities and colleges to gen- er, I move to suspend the rules and ment; erate both a United States President (the Hon- agree to the resolution (H. Res. 134) Whereas Dr. King rose to be the pre- eminent civil rights advocate of his time, orable Benjamin Harrison) and a winning recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Super Bowl quarterback (Ben Roethlisberger). leading the Civil Rights Movement in the Martin Luther King, Jr.’s visit to United States during the 1950s and 1960s and Miami alumni include a National Football India, and the positive influence that earning world-wide recognition as an elo- League Rookie of the Year, National Football the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi had quent and articulate spokesperson for equal- League Super Bowl Champions, National Bas- on Dr. King’s work during the Civil ity; ketball Association World Champions, National Rights Movement. Whereas Dr. King became a champion of Health League Stanley Cup Champions, Major The Clerk read the title of the resolu- nonviolence, and in 1964, at the age of 35, he League Baseball World Series Champions, tion. became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of his ef- and Olympic gold medalists. Known as the The text of the resolution is as fol- ‘‘Cradle of Coaches,’’ Miami has produced an forts; lows: Whereas through his leadership in non- unparalleled number of nationally prominent H. RES. 134 violent protest, Dr. King was instrumental collegiate and professional coaches, 18 of Whereas Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 whom have been recognized as national changed America forever in a few short years and the Voting Rights Act of 1965; ‘‘Coach of the Year,’’ including Paul Brown through his teaching of nonviolence and pas- Whereas, between 1957 and 1968, Dr. King (Cleveland Browns), Walter ‘‘Smokey’’ Alston sive resistance to combat segregation, dis- traveled more than 6,000,000 miles, spoke (Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers), Woody crimination, and racial injustice; more than 2,500 times, and wrote five books Hayes (Ohio State University), Bo Whereas, in 1950, during the pursuit of a and numerous articles supporting efforts Schembechler (University of Michigan), and Bachelor of Divinity degree at Crozer Theo- around the country to end injustice and bring about social change and desegregation Vicki Korn (Miami University). logical Seminary in Upland, Pennsylvania, Dr. King first became aware of the success of through civil disobedience; and In addition to athletics, many Miami students Whereas the work of Dr. King created a also participate in Greek life. As the Alpha nonviolent political action employed by In- dia’s Mahatma Gandhi in political cam- basis of understanding and respect, and Chapter for 5 national Greek organizations paigns against racial inequality in South Af- helped communities and the United States as (Beta Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, rica, and later against British colonial rule a whole to act peacefully, cooperatively, and Phi Kappa Tau, and the Delta Zeta sorority), in India; courageously to restore tolerance, justice, Miami University is known as the ‘‘Mother of Whereas Dr. King began an extensive study and equality between people: Now, therefore, Fraternities.’’ Greek life at Miami offers stu- of Gandhi’s life and ideas, and became in- be it dents the ability to engage in philanthropic ac- spired to use Gandhi’s theory of nonviolent Resolved, That the House of Representa- tivities and offers leadership opportunities that civil disobedience to achieve social change in tives encourages all Americans to— help prepare the students for their future. America; (1) pause and remember the 50th Anniver- Whereas, in 1955 and 1956, Dr. King led the sary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s visit to Miami alumni have gone on to lead some of Montgomery Bus Boycott to protest the ar- India; our most august corporations such as AT&T, rest of Rosa Parks and the segregation of the (2) commemorate Dr. King’s legacy of non- Inc., Proctor and Gamble Co., the J.M. bus system of Montgomery, Alabama, during violence, a principle that— Smucker Company, and the United Parcel which time Dr. King was arrested and his (A) Dr. King encountered during his study Service of America. As the largest employer in home bombed; of India’s Mahatma Gandhi;

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As a pastor, Dr. King’s reli- trip to India; and public transportation facilities. gious beliefs were essential to the suc- (C) he successfully used in the struggle for In Memphis, Tennessee, on April 3, cess of his nonviolent efforts. civil rights and voting rights; 1968, the eve of his assassination, Dr. (3) commemorate the impact that Dr. b 1715 King told us that ‘‘it is no longer a King’s trip to India and his study of the phi- Just as Mahatma Gandhi was a deep- losophy of Mahatma Gandhi had in shaping choice between violence and non- violence in this world; it is nonviolence ly religious man, so too was Dr. King. the Civil Rights Movement and creating the It is doubtful that such a long and en- political climate necessary to pass legisla- or nonexistence.’’ This remains his tion to expand civil rights and voting rights challenge to us as we confront the evils during movement could have survived for all Americans; and of our own time, from the police bru- in either man’s country without the (4) rededicate themselves to Dr. King’s be- tality and hate crimes here at home, to power of religious inspiration behind lief that ‘‘nonviolence is the answer to the the threats to freedom emanating from it. crucial political and moral question of our While Gandhi and Dr. King convinced around the world. time’’ and to his goal of a free and just millions of both the morality and the Can we always meet this challenge? United States. effectiveness of nonviolent change, Given our human frailties, that would The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- their message, unfortunately, was not be exceedingly difficult. But keeping ant to the rule, the gentleman from accepted by all. On the evening of April that challenge in our hearts will help Georgia (Mr. JOHNSON) and the gen- 4, 1968, while standing on the balcony us always to look for the peaceful solu- tleman from Texas (Mr. SMITH) each of his hotel room in Memphis, Ten- tion whenever possible, and to main- will control 20 minutes. nessee, Dr. King was assassinated. But tain our faith that we will sometimes The Chair recognizes the gentleman a single vicious act could not extin- be able to find it even in the most un- from Georgia. guish Dr. King’s legacy which endures compromising situations. to this day. And Dr. King’s legacy is GENERAL LEAVE As Dr. King observed in February of Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- due in large part to the inspiration of 1967 against the backdrop of the Viet- Mahatma Gandhi, whose success helped er, I ask unanimous consent that all nam War: ‘‘Wars are poor chisels for Members have 5 legislative days to re- endow Dr. King with the courage to lift carving out peaceful tomorrows.’’ That voices, not weapons, in the struggle for vise and extend their remarks and in- statement speaks to us as loudly today clude extraneous material on the reso- equality here in the United States. as it did to those who heard it more America is a better, freer nation lution under consideration. than 40 years ago. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there today in large part due to the philo- Standing on the shoulders of Gandhi, sophical fellowship of Gandhi and Dr. objection to the request of the gen- Dr. King called on us to promote equal- King. tleman from Georgia? ity and justice through steadfast non- Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues There was no objection. violence, and it is on the shoulders of to join me in supporting this resolu- Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I yield my- Dr. King that we now stand to do our tion. And let me also point out that I self such time as I may consume. best to live up to his dream for us. I know that the two gentlemen from Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago today, on ask my colleagues to support this reso- Georgia to my left, one who has spoken February 10, 1959, Dr. Martin Luther lution. and one is getting ready to speak, as King, Jr., arrived in Bombay, India, to I reserve the balance of my time. well as the Speaker himself, the gen- study the principles of nonviolence de- Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I tleman from Illinois, have all been veloped and used so skillfully by Ma- yield myself such time as I may con- leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. hatma Gandhi, which Dr. King himself sume. And we certainly appreciate their lead- employed to become this Nation’s Mr. Speaker, I support House Resolu- ership, their contributions and their greatest civil rights leader. tion 134, which commemorates the 50th success. I commend my colleague, the gen- anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther And I will reserve the balance of my tleman from Georgia, Congressman King’s trip to India, in which he paid time. JOHN LEWIS, for introducing this bipar- his respects to the methods of non- Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- tisan resolution that calls upon all violent protest pioneered by Mahatma er, I will yield as much time as he may Americans to rededicate ourselves to Gandhi. consume to the sponsor of this resolu- Dr. King’s belief that nonviolence is Dr. King studied Gandhi’s philosophy tion, the Honorable JOHN LEWIS of the answer to the crucial political and of nonviolent change at seminary, and Georgia. moral questions of our time. I would in 1959 he had the honor of visiting the Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, also like to acknowledge the many land in which the seeds of peaceful pro- I want to thank the gentleman from members of the Judiciary Committee test had been successfully sown by Georgia for yielding. that join in this resolution and, in par- Gandhi. Mr. Speaker, 50 years ago today, Dr. ticular, the gentleman from Texas, our Gandhi was the first to employ non- Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, ranking member, Mr. LAMAR SMITH. violent protest on a mass political Coretta Scott King, took a historic trip During his month-long travel to scale. This opposition resulted in na- to India to travel and study the path of India from February 10 to March 10, tional change. Dr. King, inspired by Mahatma Gandhi. Dr. King was deeply 1959, Dr. King gained a deeper apprecia- Gandhi’s organized peaceful action, influenced by the teachings of Gandhi tion for the power of nonviolent civil launched a similar effort to fight for and what he attempted to do in South disobedience, a practice that Dr. King racial equality under the law in the Africa and what he did to liberate and first discovered reading Henry David United States. That inspiration even- free the people of India from the colo- Thoreau’s essay, ‘‘On Civil Disobe- tually materialized in the Nobel Peace nial rule of the British. dience,’’ while a student at Morehouse Prize that was awarded to Dr. King in It was on Gandhi’s preaching of the College. 1964, and a year earlier in a 250,000 per- philosophy and the discipline of non- Just as Gandhi had used it success- son peaceful march Dr. King led violence that Dr. King patterned the fully in resistance to oppressive British through the streets of Washington, nonviolent struggle in America to tear colonial rule in India, Dr. King adopted D.C. Dr. King was the leader of an his- down the walls of segregation and ra- it as a cornerstone of the American toric nonviolent revolution in the U.S. cial discrimination. The great teacher Civil Rights Movement, holding firmly Over the course of his life, he fought gave us the philosophy of nonviolence, and faithfully to it even when the for equal justice and led the Nation to- and Gandhi gave us the message and peaceful demonstrations were met by wards racial harmony. showed us the way. So it is fitting for dogs and fire hoses, and worse. While advancing this great move- the to pause Nonviolence had already proven suc- ment, Dr. King’s home was bombed and and recognize the 50th anniversary of cessful in the Montgomery bus boycott, he was subjected to relentless personal Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s trip to and so it would be used later success- and physical abuse. Despite this vio- India and the impact that trip had on fully in sit-ins used to protest seg- lence, Dr. King responded in peace and our Nation’s struggle for civil rights regated lunch counters, and in the free- with strong conviction and sound rea- and voting rights.

VerDate Nov 24 2008 01:57 Feb 11, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A10FE7.017 H10FEPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE February 10, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1109 In a few days, Mr. Speaker, a group of all black Americans conceived in Gandhi’s principle of ‘‘satyagraha,’’ of Members of Congress will travel to this country, primarily at government- nonviolent resistance, inspired change India to walk the path that Dr. King funded family planning clinics placed for the better throughout the world walked. I am hopeful that we will have in our inner cities. Every day, Mr. and particularly in the United States. the opportunity to be inspired by this Speaker, almost 1,500 unborn black As Dr. King said in a radio address in one man to carry the message of peace, children are aborted. Black babies are India in 1959 on this trip, ‘‘the spirit of hope and love to the rest of the world. aborted at between four and five times Gandhi is so much stronger today than Gandhi once said ‘‘nonviolence is the the rate of that of white babies. Mr. some people believe.’’ That statement first article of my faith. It is also the Speaker, this equates to a genocide is even truer today. last article of my creed.’’ He said that against black America. And yet our These two people changed their coun- our choice was between nonviolence U.S. Government continues to increase tries and the world for the better. And and nonexistence. the annual appropriation to Planned the world today would benefit from a Dr. King said that we must learn to Parenthood and to other abortion pro- new Dr. King or a new Gandhi. They live together as brothers and sisters or viders every year. taught us that violence begets vio- perish as fools. The message of Gandhi Mr. Speaker, I have every conviction lence. As Gandhi once said, ‘‘An eye for and Dr. King still speaks to us today. that if he were alive today, that Rev- an eye makes the whole world blind.’’ I call on all Members of the House to erend Martin Luther King would not be No one doubts that there are serious support this resolution. silent in the face of such an outrage. problems in the world today, violence Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I Dr. King noted in his Letter From Bir- in the Middle East and many other yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from mingham Jail that the early church places, the AIDS pandemic and ex- Arizona (Mr. FRANKS), a member of the ‘‘by their effort and example, brought treme poverty where 1 billion people in Judiciary Committee. an end to such ancient evils as infan- the world live on less than a dollar a Mr. FRANKS of Arizona. I certainly ticide.’’ He didn’t know that in 1973, 10 day. Missiles will not solve these cri- thank the gentleman from Texas. years after he wrote those words, that ses. But people can, people of good will Mr. Speaker, today’s resolution the U.S. Supreme Court would revive with courage and character, people like marks the 50th anniversary of the Rev- the practice of killing the innocent and Dr. Martin Luther King and Mahatma erend Dr. Martin Luther King’s visit to that the black community would pay a Gandhi. We need them now more than India and the positive influence that higher price in blood than any other. ever. And this resolution and this up- the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi had Abortion on demand is called some- coming trip by the Congress to India on Reverend King’s work during the times the exercise of hard-won rights. will honor their contributions to man- Civil Rights Movement. Likewise, later But in reality, Mr. Speaker, it is the kind and rekindle their spirit to seek this month, we will also celebrate extinguishing of a legacy. peace by living in peace. President Lincoln’s birthday because of The greatest failure of human gov- I urge my colleagues to support H. his work to lay the foundation for what ernment is the failure to recognize the Res 134. would become the greatest of American inherent value of every human life. Un- Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- achievements, the recognition of the born children in America are the great- er, may I inquire as to how much time God-given equal value of all individuals est example of that today. It is the is left for each side? regardless of their race, and the con- civil rights struggle before America in The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gen- sequent and natural equal protection of this century. Reverend King once said tleman from Georgia has 12 minutes. the law for everyone. that ‘‘The law cannot change a heart, The gentleman from Texas has 121⁄2 Reverend King and President Lincoln but it can restrain the heartless. The minutes. had many things in common. But most law cannot make a man love me, but it Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we prominently of all was their life’s work can restrain him from lynching me.’’ don’t have any other speakers at this to humanize the dehumanized, to give This Congress, I will introduce the time. value to a human life that the law had PreNDA bill, the Prenatal Non- I would like to reserve the balance of previously regarded as being lesser discrimination Act, to end sex-selec- my time. than other more politically powerful tion abortion and race-selection abor- Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- persons. tion in America. er, I would yield 3 minutes to the hon- Reverend King reminded us in his It is time to reject the discrimina- orable Representative from the great 1963 Letter From the Birmingham Jail tory disgrace of aborting a child based State of Texas, Ms. SHEILA JACKSON- that ‘‘injustice anywhere is a threat to on race or sex. Doing so might remind LEE. justice everywhere. We are caught in us all it is also time for the equal pro- (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked an inescapable network of mutuality, tection clause to realize its full mean- and was given permission to revise and tied in a single garment of destiny. ing finally, that every human being is extend her remarks.) Whatever affects one directly, affects a child of God, with the God-given Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. It is a all indirectly.’’ Like Gandhi, Reverend rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of privilege, Mr. Speaker, to have the op- King looked to his faith to transform their dreams. Nothing, Mr. Speaker, portunity to come to the floor today society. Reverend King ultimately paid nothing, would honor the work of Rev- for such an important recognition of with his life the price for working to erend Martin Luther King or Mahatma two iconic movers of change, individ- extend the equal protection of the law Gandhi or President Abraham Lincoln uals who laid the underpinnings of the to all. more. reformation of nations that already Mr. Speaker, those were the strug- Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- had a good heart. Let me thank the gles of the past centuries. And those er, I yield 3 minutes to the fine gen- manager, Mr. JOHNSON, for his leader- were the heroes of the past centuries. tleman from the great State of Wash- ship, and of course our ranking mem- But their work is not done. The 21st ington, Mr. JIM MCDERMOTT. ber, Mr. SMITH, my colleague from century has its own civil rights strug- (Mr. MCDERMOTT asked and was Texas, and the author of this legisla- gle, Mr. Speaker. As Day Gardner, given permission to revise and extend tion, JOHN LEWIS. I know that he wrote president of the National Black Pro- his remarks.) this legislation from the heart. Life Union, has said, ‘‘The biggest Mr. McDERMOTT. Mr. Speaker, I’m We will be recognizing this historic struggle for civil rights today is for the honored to join my friend and col- journey in a few days, the 50th anniver- civil rights of the unborn child.’’ league, Representative JOHN LEWIS, sary of Martin Luther King’s visit to Last year I joined black activists and himself a legendary civil rights leader, India and the recognition of the inter- black mothers from around the coun- in strongly supporting H. Res. 134 and twining of their spirits and their intel- try at the corner of 16th Street North- in carrying a message of hope to an up- lect between Martin King and Ma- west in D.C. to protest what has been coming trip to India. hatma Gandhi. I had the opportunity the deadliest form of discrimination in There is so much that we can learn to view the years-old film that was our country’s history, the systematic from the lives of Dr. Martin Luther done on his life. Certainly we know elimination of millions, fully one-half King, Jr. and Mahatma Gandhi. that fictional aspects may have been

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included. But the underpinnings of the like to thank Representative JOHN LEWIS, from brothers, with the color of our skins as some- film was the willingness to sacrifice for Georgia, for his leadership in bringing this res- thing of an asset. But the strongest bond of the greater good. olution to the floor. I urge my colleagues to fraternity was the common cause of minority And as I reflect upon Martin King’s support this important resolution. Because of and colonial peoples in America, Africa, and life, having had the opportunity to be a the importance of the importance of Gandhi’s Asia struggling to throw off racism and impe- student worker of the Southern Chris- life teachings on non-violence, I am partici- rialism.’’ tian Leadership Conference and absorb- pating in a historic CODEL to India, where Dr. King’s meetings with satyagrahis deep- ing the spirit of nonviolence that had members of Congress will sojourn in the land ened his commitment to nonviolent resistance. been left by Dr. King, I know how much of Gandhi during the recess on next week. His interactions with the Gandhi family in- he was influenced by the life-changing It was through this experience that Dr. King, grained in him the power of nonviolent resist- attitude of Gandhi. Gandhi was willing with a heart of servitude, was transitioned to ance and its potential usefulness throughout to sacrifice life and limb in order to become the greatest civil rights advocate of the world, even against totalitarian regimes. move mountains of change. And what our century and possibly the greatest leader of While discussing non-violence to a group of you saw in his determination for free- our time. Mahatma Gandhi was a formative in- students in India, Dr. King said, ‘‘True non- dom for the people of India were two fluence upon Dr. King’s political civil disobe- violent resistance is not unrealistic submission things: One, the people of diverse faiths dience. Dr. King and Gandhi believed that to evil power. It is rather a courageous con- and beliefs in this then very large change would occur once Americans acknowl- frontation of evil by the power of love, in the country could come together around edged the humanity of the oppressed in Amer- faith that it is better to be the recipient of vio- the idea of freedom, and then at the ica. lence than the inflictor of it, since the latter same time, he was willing to sacrifice Gandhi became a leader in a complex only multiplies the existence of violence and the times that he spent in the fasts struggle. Following World War I, Gandhi bitterness in the universe, while the former where he was near death to show those launched his movement of non-violent resist- may develop a sense of shame in the oppo- that violence does not engender any- ance to Great Britain. Satyagraha, which in- nent, and thereby bring about a transformation thing but violence. volves utilization of non-violent measures to and change of heart.’’ undermine the opponent, and ideally to con- The trip to India affected Dr. King in a pro- b 1730 vert him rather than to coerce him into sub- found way, deepening his understanding of And Martin King, in the various peri- mission, spread throughout India, gaining mil- nonviolent resistance and his commitment to ods of his life, where the younger gen- lions of followers. A demonstration against the America’s struggle for civil rights. ‘‘Since being eration challenged this seemingly hap- Rowlatt Acts, which allowed certain political in India, I am more convinced than ever be- less and helpless method of non- cases to be tried without juries and internment fore that the method of nonviolent resistance violence; you weren’t accomplishing of suspects without trial, but resulted in a mas- is the most potent weapon available to op- anything; they were taking advantage sacre of Indians at Amritsar by British soldiers. pressed people in their struggle for justice and of you; they weren’t respecting you. When the British government failed to make human dignity. In a real sense, Mahatma Gan- But he was willing to hold his ground amends, Gandhi proclaimed an organized dhi embodied certain universal principles that and, in that, he was the masterful campaign of non-cooperation. Indians in public are inherent in the moral structure of the uni- teacher to all of us who looked upon office resigned, government agencies such as verse, and these principles are as inescapable this young man who was willing to lead courts of law were boycotted, and Indian chil- as the law of gravitation,’’ Dr. King said. a country into freedom without vio- dren were withdrawn from government The contributions of Gandhi and Dr. King lence. And so the intertwining of the schools. Throughout India, streets were are many. The roles that these two humani- two is a special moment. And I’m so blocked by squatting Indians who refused to tarians traveled to arrive at their respective very gratified that JOHN LEWIS saw fit rise even when beaten by police. Gandhi was destinations in history were long and difficult, to allow us to come to the floor of the arrested, but the British were soon forced to but they deserve all the respect and admira- House and acknowledge that we are in release him. His non-violent movement set a tion that history can bestow upon them. As partnership with the largest democ- new precedent for dealing with oppression and Members of Congress, we have to respect racy. violence, no just in India, but the world over. and acknowledge the work of Gandhi and the The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Dr. King and Gandhi journey’s ironically teachings he left behind that greatly influenced time of the gentlewoman has expired. began in the same fashion. It was a train ride and changed Dr. Martin Luther King. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. I yield an in South Africa that created Gandhi. It was a Dr. King’s trip to India further solidified his additional 1 minute to Congresswoman bus boycott in Alabama that made Dr. Martin belief in nonviolence and peaceful resistance. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE. Luther King. They were ordinary men only Gandhi and Dr. King embodied the belief of Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. We are seeking to heighten the moral conscience of doing unto others as you would have them to in partnership with the largest democ- the time. These men were the spokesmen for do unto you. They also believed in becoming racy, India, and the longest democracy, the oppressed, unjustly treated, and those de- the visible change you want to see in the the United States. And I hope we will nied their God given privileges to life, liberty, world. They believed that men could live to- take a lesson from this partnership of and the pursuit of happiness. Institutionalized gether peacefully despite their religious, racial, two men, now celebrating 50 years of racism and bigotry sought to keep the people and cultural differences. Mohandas changed that coming together, that determina- of India, , and others from the way Indians were treated in South Africa tion and a way of handling people can achieving those God given virtues. and in India. Overthrowing the imperial British garner us so much. Dr. King’s journey to India came at a vital rule was no easy task, but Gandhi was able And this new President, who has time in American history. The Montgomery to do it. Through his Satyagraha teachings claimed development and diplomacy as boycott had ended and had proven to be a and non-violent protest, Gandhi put forth an key elements to his foreign policy, gets great success. The nation’s leaders were now example that vicariously aided in the liberation it; that you can work as partnerships dealing with a new challenge, one it had not of African Americans in the United States. with those who you would think would seen before, non-violent social disobedience. It is imperative that we commemorate Dr. be hostile to your beliefs. People, both black and white, were looking to King’s trip to India. It would be shameful of I am very gratified to support this the newly famed leader from Georgia as the this Congress to pass on an opportunity to ac- legislation, H. Res. 134, recognizing the conscience of the nation. While they looked to knowledge the contributions of Gandhi and Dr. 50th anniversary of the trip of Dr. Mar- Dr. King, he looked to the east for inspiration. King to America’s history. tin Luther King to India and the work It was Mahatma Gandhi’s teachings of non-vi- Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is that he did with Mahatma Gandhi, and olence that helped achieve success in Ala- my distinct honor to join my friend and col- the two of them, peace for ever and for bama. He knew that it would be Gandhi’s league Representative JOHN LEWIS in support everlasting. teachings that would help the movement to of H. Res. 134. This resolution commemorates Mr. Speaker, I rose today in strong support achieve greater success in his quest for civil the fiftieth anniversary of the Reverend Dr. of H. Res. 134 ‘‘Recognizing the 50th anniver- equality in the United States. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s visit to India, and the sary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s visit to On the trip to India, Dr. King was surprised role played by the revered leader of Indian India and the point of influence that the lead- to find the extent to which the bus boycott was independence Mahatma Gandhi—and those ership of Mahatma Gandhi had on Dr. King’s covered in India and throughout the world. who followed in his footsteps—in influencing work during the civil rights movement.’’ I would King recalled, ‘‘We were looked upon as Dr. King’s non-violent approach to achieving

VerDate Nov 24 2008 01:57 Feb 11, 2009 Jkt 079060 PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K10FE7.066 H10FEPT1 wwoods2 on PRODPC68 with HOUSE February 10, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H1111 social and political justice. I embrace this op- A century earlier, the issue of race and servative. That is a mighty transformation portunity to look back at the men and the equality tore the United States apart. Presi- since the racial turmoil in Birmingham. movement which pressed this nation forward dent Abraham Lincoln, whose 200th birthday We were united in celebration of the hope in its journey towards the fulfillment of our we celebrate this year, prophetically said, ‘‘I and promise that is America. Hope and faith is founders’ creed, and look forward as the believe this government cannot endure perma- what inspired Dr. King during his mission and march toward opportunity, justice, and free- nently half-slave and half-free.’’ Unable to re- it is what brings us together today. dom for all continues. solve this fundamental issue of human rights Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I When Dr. King left for India in February either politically or peacefully, the United yield back the balance of my time. 1959, he was just beginning to make his mark States descended into an awful Civil War. Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- as a leader of the national movement for civil After four bitter and bloody years, slavery was er, I yield back the balance of my time rights. He had organized the successful boy- abolished and America’s soul saved, but the as well. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The cott of Montgomery, Alabama’s public trans- undressed wounds of injustice and intolerance question is on the motion offered by portation system in 1955, and founded the were deep and raw. the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. JOHN- Southern Christian Leadership Conference two Several lifetimes later, amid a crescendo for SON) that the House suspend the rules years later. His burgeoning success had pro- full civil rights from millions still denied, lead- vided his non-violent movement with the mo- and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 134. ers like Dr. King faced a choice. Was the way The question was taken. mentum and potential to become a truly pow- again through armed conflict, with all of its suf- erful force in the pursuit of equal rights for all The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the fering, or through nonviolent resistance relying opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being Americans. This momentum became en- on the power of morality over mortar? trenched during Dr. King’s trip to India, where in the affirmative, the ayes have it. The principles of Gandhi helped show the Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- his immersion in the world of Mahatma way. Gandhi’s own non-violent success led King to er, on that I demand the yeas and nays. We know that Dr. King’s gracious welcome The yeas and nays were ordered. commit himself in his philosophical entirety to and textured experiences in India served to The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- the principle of meeting hate and injustice with guide him more surely down the path he had ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the persistent non-violence. chosen for his people and country. He said, Chair’s prior announcement, further Though Gandhi had passed away eleven ‘‘Since being in India, I am more convinced proceedings on this motion will be years prior to Dr. King’s journey, King was no than ever before that the method of nonviolent less attentive to the followers of the great postponed. resistance is the most potent weapon avail- f shanti sena—the ‘‘non-violent army’’ that Gan- able to oppressed people in their struggle for dhi led in his successful effort to free his coun- justice and human dignity.’’ HONORING THE NAACP ON ITS try from the grasp of colonialism. He encoun- Those beliefs would be put to the test dur- 100TH ANNIVERSARY tered those who had stood with Gandhi ing the civil rights struggles of the 1960s, in- Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speak- through the long, arduous struggle for India’s cluding in my home state in Alabama. Some- er, I move to suspend the rules and sovereignty, and came to deeply understand times, the challenges were visible and shock- agree to the concurrent resolution (H. the necessary commitment and purpose of ing, as they were with the church bombings in Con. Res. 35) honoring and praising the which believers in non-violence must never Birmingham and beatings at the Pettus Bridge National Association for the Advance- lose sight. Dr. King came to believe that if in Selma. More often, there were the subtle ment of Colored People, NAACP, on the India can assert its independence from the slights born of fear and prejudice. occasion of its 100th anniversary. bonds of the British Empire without violence, But whatever the indignity or assault suf- The Clerk read the title of the con- then the United States of America can achieve fered, the response was never hate. In his current resolution. racial equality with the same approach. He Letter from a Birmingham Jail, Dr. King set the The text of the concurrent resolution took the lessons of a people half a world away direction: ‘‘I have consistently preached that is as follows: and applied them to the struggle of his own nonviolence demands that the means we use H. CON. RES. 35 nation, illustrating that a righteous cause pur- must be as pure as the ends we seek.’’ Whereas the National Association for the sued by means which justify its ends holds It is now 2009, 50 years since Dr. King’s Advancement of Colored People (referred to universal promise. Perhaps it is best articu- visit to India. I believe the U.S. has come far- in this resolution as the ‘‘NAACP’’), origi- lated by Dr. King himself: ‘‘As I delved deeper ther in these last 50 years than in the pre- nally known as the National Negro Com- into the philosophy of Gandhi, my skepticism ceding 100 years. mittee, was founded in New York City on concerning the power of love gradually dimin- February 12, 1909, the centennial of Abraham Providing all of our citizens with true equal ished, and I came to see for the first time its Lincoln’s birth, by a multiracial group of ac- protection under the law has made us a bet- potency in the area of social reform.’’ tivists who met in a national conference to Now, with the passage of five decades, let ter, stronger nation. We will recognize the last- discuss the civil and political rights of Afri- us commemorate this historic journey of our ing legacy of the movement for nonviolent can-Americans; beloved Dr. King, focusing on the lessons it change next month when the Faith and Poli- Whereas the NAACP was founded by a dis- tinguished group of leaders in the struggle taught him and the strength it provided him as tics Institute holds its biennial Civil Rights Pil- grimage to Alabama. It has been my privilege for civil and political liberty, including Ida he met the challenges of his day. Let us not Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Henry only remember the past, but rather carry its to be associated with the Institute and this event, which brings citizens of all ages and Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald lessons into a brighter future of promise and Garrison Villard, and William English freedom. I once again express my heartfelt races together to reflect on the lessons of the Walling; appreciation for Congressman LEWIS, a man civil rights movement and retrace the steps of Whereas the NAACP is the oldest and larg- whose own journey and career follow closely its courageous pioneers. est civil rights organization in the United the principles and vision laid out by these two One mark of how far we’ve come is the cre- States; men, and urge all my colleagues to take this ation of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, Whereas the mission of the NAACP is to which overlooks the same park where fire ensure the political, educational, social, and opportunity to honor those who refuse to allow economic equality of rights of all persons the forces of hate and oppression to provoke hoses and police dogs were unleashed against peaceful citizens in 1963. and to eliminate racial hatred and racial dis- them to lose sight of their vision for justice by crimination; embracing the nonviolent path. But what will be remembered in American Whereas the NAACP is committed to Mr. BACHUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support history for all time is the inauguration of Presi- achieving its goals through nonviolence; of House Resolution 134, which recognizes dent . There is a small vignette Whereas the NAACP advances its mission the 50th Anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, from that day that perfectly illustrates the heal- through reliance upon the press, the peti- Jr.’s visit to India. ing that has transpired in America and gives tion, the ballot, and the courts, and has been It will be my honor to co-chair a delegation hope for the future. About 30 constituents from persistent in the use of legal and moral per- suasion, even in the face of overt and violent led by Congressman JOHN LEWIS, a colleague Congressman DANNY DAVIS’s Chicago District was in the hallway where my office is located, racial hostility; of Dr. King and true hero of the civil rights Whereas the NAACP has used political movement, that is going to New Delhi to com- unable to squeeze into a hearing room to view pressure, marches, demonstrations, and ef- memorate his historic trip. the President’s speech on television. My staff fective lobbying to serve as the voice, as well The lessons that Dr. King drew from Ma- invited them in and they all watched the as the shield, for minority Americans; hatma Gandhi’s teachings of nonviolence speech together, a group of African-American Whereas after years of fighting segregation came at a pivotal time in American history. constituents in the office of a Southern con- in public schools, the NAACP, under the

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