H11484 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 18, 2003 just inquisitive outsider, will find a sport in AWARDING CONGRESSIONAL GOLD deserve a first-rate education, a lesson from which physical courage is admired, family MEDALS POSTHUMOUSLY ON BE- which the Nation has benefited immeas- bonds are treasured, the nation’s flag is hon- HALF OF REVEREND JOSEPH A. urably. ored, and the proper point of balance be- (10) Reverend DeLaine deserves rightful DELAINE, HARRY AND ELIZA tween courteous restraint and necessary ag- recognition for the suffering that he and his gression is constantly debated. I greatly en- BRIGGS, AND LEVI PEARSON IN family endured to teach the Nation one of joyed my day at the races. If NASCAR fans RECOGNITION OF THEIR CON- the great civil rights lessons of the last cen- really do form a voting bloc, I would much TRIBUTIONS TO BROWN V. tury. rather they were on my side than the other. BOARD OF EDUCATION (11) Like the Reverend DeLaine and Harry I am glad to have made the acquaintance of Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I move and Eliza Briggs, Levi Pearson was an inte- gral participant in the struggle to equalize a thrilling, noisy, colorful, commercial, very to suspend the rules and pass the bill American sport. the educational experiences of white and (H.R. 3287) to award congressional gold black students in South Carolina. Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I medals posthumously on behalf of Rev- (12) Levi Pearson, with the assistance of yield myself such time as I may con- erend Joseph A. DeLaine, Harry and Reverend Joseph DeLaine, filed a lawsuit sume. Eliza Briggs, and Levi Pearson in rec- against the Clarendon County School Dis- Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. ognition of their contributions to the trict to protest the inequitable treatment of Con. Res. 320 and commend the gen- Nation as pioneers in the effort to de- black children. (13) As a result of his lawsuit, Levi Pearson tleman from Florida (Mr. FEENEY) for segregate public schools that led di- also suffered from acts of domestic terror, introducing this legislation. rectly to the landmark desegregation such as the time gun shots were fired into Since 26, 1903, when the first case of Brown et al. v. the Board of his home, as well as economic consequences: automobile race was held on a beach in Education of Topeka et al. local banks refused to provide him with cred- Volusia County, Florida, motorsports The Clerk read as follows: it to purchase farming materials and area races have been held in every American H.R. 3287 farmers refused to lend him equipment. State. Millions of Americans enjoy the Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- (14) Although his case was ultimately dis- missed on a technicality, Levi Pearson’s excitement and speed of motorsports resentatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, courage to stand up for equalized treatment brought to them by such organizations and funding for black students served as the as the Championship Auto Racing SECTION 1. FINDINGS. The Congress finds as follows: catalyst for further attempts to desegregate Teams, Grand American Road Racing, (1) The Reverend Joseph Armstrong South Carolina schools, as he continued to Indy Racing League, the Sports Club of DeLaine, one of the true heroes of the civil fight against segregation practices and be- America, the National Association of rights struggle, led a crusade to break down came President of Clarendon County Chapter Stock Car Automobile Racing, and oth- barriers in education in South Carolina. of the NAACP. ers. (2) The efforts of Reverend DeLaine led to (15) When Levi Pearson’s litigation efforts to obtain equalized treatment and funding The research and development of ve- the desegregation of public schools in the United States, but forever scarred his own for black students were stymied, Harry and hicles used in motorsports competition life. Eliza Briggs, a service station attendant and contribute to the improvement of safe- (3) In 1949, Joseph DeLaine, a minister and a maid, continued to fight for not only ty and technology of motor vehicles school principal, organized African-Amer- equalized treatment of all children but de- used by the general public. Addition- ican parents in Summerton, South Carolina, segregated schools as well. ally, motorsports activities contribute to petition the school board for a bus for (16) As with Reverend DeLaine and Levi Pearson, the family of Harry and Eliza millions of dollars to local and State black students, who had to walk up to 10 miles through corn and cotton fields to at- Briggs suffered consequences for their ef- economies as well as to the national forts: Harry and Eliza both were fired from economy. tend a segregated school, while the white children in the school district rode to and their jobs and forced to move their family to As America continues to grow and from school in nice clean buses. Florida. develop and as we continue to exercise (4) In 1950, these same parents, including (17) Although they and their family suf- our creativity and ingenuity, and as we Harry and Eliza Briggs, sued to end public fered tremendously, Harry and Eliza Briggs find additional ways for recreation, school segregation in Briggs et al. v. Elliott were also pioneers leading the effort to de- segregate America’s public schools. many people are beginning to view this et al., one of 5 cases that collectively led to SEC. 2. CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL. as not only a spectator sport but also the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision of Brown et al. v. Board of Education of Topeka (a) PRESENTATION AUTHORIZED.—In recogni- something that they would learn to et al. tion of the contributions of Reverend Joseph participate in themselves. (5) Because of his participation in the de- A. DeLaine, Harry and Eliza Briggs, and Levi Again I commend the gentleman segregation movement, Reverend DeLaine Pearson to the Nation as pioneers in the ef- fort to desegregate public schools that led di- from Florida (Mr. FEENEY) for intro- was subjected to repeated acts of domestic terror in which— rectly to the landmark desegregation case of ducing this resolution and urge its Brown et al. v. the Board of Education of To- swift passage. (A) he, along with 2 sisters and a niece, lost their jobs; peka et al., the Speaker of the House of Rep- resentatives and the President Pro Tempore Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance (B) he fought off an angry mob; of the Senate shall make appropriate ar- of my time. (C) he received frequent death threats; and rangements for the presentation, on behalf of (D) his church and his home were burned to Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I the Congress, of a gold medal of appropriate the ground. yield back the balance of my time. design, to Joseph De Laine, Jr., as next of (6) In October 1955, after Reverend DeLaine kin of Reverend Joseph A. DeLaine, and to The SPEAKER pro tempore. The relocated to Florence County in South Caro- question is on the motion offered by the next of kin or other personal representa- lina, shots were fired at the DeLaine home, tive of Harry and Eliza Briggs and of Levi the gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. and because Reverend DeLaine fired back to Pearson. ROS-LEHTINEN) that the House suspend mark the car, he was charged with assault (b) DESIGN AND STRIKING.—For the pur- the rules and agree to the concurrent and battery with intent to kill. poses of the awards referred to in subsection resolution, H. Con. Res. 320. (7) The shooting incident drove him from (a), the Secretary of the Treasury (hereafter South Carolina to Buffalo, New York, where The question was taken. in this Act referred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) he organized an African Methodist Episcopal shall strike 3 gold medals with suitable em- The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the Church. blems, devices, and inscriptions, to be deter- opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of (8) Believing that he would not be treated mined by the Secretary. those present have voted in the affirm- fairly by the South Carolina judicial system SEC. 3. DUPLICATE MEDALS. ative. if he returned to South Carolina, Reverend The Secretary may strike and sell dupli- DeLaine told the Federal Bureau of Inves- cates in bronze of the gold medals struck Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, tigation, ‘‘I am not running from justice but pursuant to section 2, under such regulations on that I demand the yeas and nays. injustice’’, and it was not until 2000 (26 years as the Secretary may prescribe, and at a The yeas and nays were ordered. after his death and 45 years after the inci- price sufficient to cover the costs thereof, in- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- dent) that Reverend DeLaine was cleared of cluding labor, materials, dies, use of machin- all charges relating to the October 1955 inci- ery, and overhead expenses, and the cost of ant to clause 8 of rule XX and the dent. the gold medals. Chair’s prior announcement, further (9) Reverend DeLaine was a humble and SEC. 4. STATUS AS NATIONAL MEDALS. proceedings on this motion will be fearless man who showed the Nation that all (a) NATIONAL MEDALS.—The medals struck postponed. people, regardless of the color of their skin, pursuant to this Act are national medals for

VerDate jul 14 2003 00:37 Nov 20, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00090 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A18NO7.156 H18PT2 November 18, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11485 purposes of chapter 51 of title 31, United children were driven to their schools in Mr. Speaker, I am also grateful to States Code. buses. The request was denied. Senator FRITZ HOLLINGS for his spon- (b) NUMISMATIC ITEMS.—For purposes of The next year, 1948, Levi Pearson, a sorship of similar legislation in the section 5134 of title 31, United States Code, farmer whose three children had to other body and his 99 colleagues who all medals struck under this Act shall be considered to be numismatic items. walk 9 miles to school each day, filed a gave his bill a unanimous vote. I am hopeful this body will do likewise. SEC. 5. FUNDING. lawsuit against the Clarendon County, Mr. Speaker, as we approach the 50th (a) AUTHORITY TO USE FUND AMOUNTS.— South Carolina School District that There is authorized to be charged against the protested unequal treatment of and anniversary of Brown v. Board of Edu- United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund funding for black and white students. cation of Topeka, Kansas, it is indeed such amounts as may be necessary to pay for While the suit was dismissed on a tech- an honor to stand in the Halls of the the cost of the medals authorized by this nicality, it served as a catalyst to fur- United States House of Representatives Act. ther efforts to desegregate South Caro- to commemorate the dedication and (b) PROCEEDS OF SALE.—Amounts received lina schools. courage of four South Carolinians who from the sale of duplicate bronze medals And in 1949, Henry and Elizabeth initiated the effort to desegregate pub- under section 3 shall be deposited in the lic school education in South Carolina United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund. Briggs, along with many of the same parents who joined in the original peti- and the Nation. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- tion for a bus, sued to end public school Reverend Joseph Armstrong DeLaine ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from segregation in Briggs v. Elliott. organized the original 106 petitioners, Illinois (Mrs. BIGGERT) and the gentle- 18 of whom and two others made up the woman from Indiana (Ms. CARSON) each b 2100 original 20 plaintiffs in Briggs v. El- will control 20 minutes. This was the first of the five cases to liott, the first of the five cases that The Chair recognizes the gentle- be filed, and all were eventually were merged and became Brown v. woman from Illinois (Mrs. BIGGERT). merged together to become the Su- Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. GENERAL LEAVE preme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of I now submit the names of all of those Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I ask Education of Topeka decision. Taken petitioners into the RECORD of these unanimous consent that all Members separately, each of these individuals proceedings this evening. may have 5 legislative days within contributed considerably to the civil BRIGGS V. ELLIOT which to revise and extend their re- rights movement and to the breakdown South Carolinians who signed a petition to marks and to insert extraneous mate- of racial barriers in education. Taken the Board of Trustees for Clarendon County rial on this legislation. together, their accomplishments are School District #22 demanding equal edu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there enormous. These individuals were pio- cational opportunities for African-Ameri- objection to the request of the gentle- neers in desegregation. They suffered cans. The petition was submitted on Novem- woman from Illinois? and made great personal sacrifices, ber 11, 1949. 1. Harry Briggs* There was no objection. risking their lives, jobs, and homes to 2. Eliza Briggs Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield ensure that all children are educated 3. Harry Briggs, Jr. myself such time as I may consume. equally and together, regardless of the 4. Thomas Lee Briggs Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express color of their skin. 5. Katherine Briggs strong support for H.R. 3287, which Mr. Speaker, these individuals de- 6. Thomas Gamble seeks to award the Congressional Gold serve our recognition for their courage, 7. Henry Brown Medal to each of four Americans close- and I urge immediate passage of this 8. Thelma Brown ly associated with the landmark Brown legislation. 9. Vera Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka Su- 10. Beatrice Brown Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of 11. Willie Brown preme Court ruling that led to desegre- my time. 12. Marian Brown gation of our Nation’s schools. I com- Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- 13. Ethel Mae Brown mend the gentleman from South Caro- er, I yield myself such time as I may 14. Howard Brown lina (Mr. CLYBURN) for introducing this consume. 15. James Brown legislation. I would like to thank the gentleman 16. Theola Brown This bill seeks to award this body’s from South Carolina (Mr. CLYBURN) for 17. Thomas Brown highest civilian honor posthumously to sponsoring the bill. I also would like to 18. Euralia Brown four courageous Americans. They are thank the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. 19. Joe Morris Brown 20. Onetha Bennett* the Reverend Joseph A. DeLaine, Levi OXLEY) and the gentleman from Massa- 21. Hercules Bennett Pearson, and Henry and Elizabeth chusetts (Mr. FRANK) for allowing this 22. Hilton Bennett Briggs. Given the time required to de- bill to come to the floor today. 23. William Gibson sign and strike the medals, these med- Mr. Speaker, H.R. 3287 gives honor to 24. Annie Gibson* als should be ready for an awards cere- whom honor is due. It provides Con- 25. William Gibson Jr. mony next year, which is fitting as gressional Gold Medals to the Reverend 26. Maxine Gibson next year is the 50th anniversary of the Joseph DeLaine, Levi Pearson, and 27. Harold Gibson Brown v. Board of Education decision. Harry and Eliza Briggs. 28. Robert Georgia* 29. Carrie Georgia Mr. Speaker, we all know the names Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he 30. Charlie Georgia of many of the ’s may consume to the gentleman from 31. Jervine Georgia greatest leaders, and we know their South Carolina (Mr. CLYBURN), the cre- 32. Gladys Hilton stories well; but not everyone knows ator and inspirator of this legislation. 33. Joseph Hilton well the names of those whose coura- Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I thank 34. Lila Mae Huggins geous actions led to the Brown v. the gentlewoman from Indiana for 35. Celestine Huggins Board of Education decision and pre- yielding me this time and the gentle- 36. Juanita Huggins cipitated the desegregation of our woman from Illinois for her assistance 37. Gussie Hilton 38. Roosevelt Hilton schools throughout America. The legis- with this effort. I also want to thank 39. Thomas Johnson lation we consider here today would Speaker HASTERT and Leader PELOSI 40. Blanche E. Johnson rectify that situation. Through this for their assistance in expediting this 41. Lillie Eva Johnson Congressional Gold Medal, we honor very important piece of legislation. I 42. Rubie Lee Johnson the stories, the bravery and the memo- am also thankful to Chairman OXLEY 43. Betty J. Johnson ries of these fine Americans. and Ranking Member FRANK for their 44. Bobby M. Johnson Reverend DeLaine was a minister and leadership in this matter. It is very dif- 45. Preston Johnson Jr. a school principal. In 1947, he organized ficult to find proper words to convey to 46. Susan Lawson* 47. Raymond Lawson a petition drive for African American the 298 cosponsors of this bill my ap- 48. Eddie Lee Lawson parents to get a school bus so their preciation of the bipartisan support 49. Susan Ann Lawson children would not have to walk up to and genuine courtesies extended to me 50. Frederick Oliver* 10 miles to and from school while white throughout this effort. 51. Willie Oliver

VerDate jul 14 2003 02:32 Nov 20, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00091 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A18NO7.151 H18PT2 H11486 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE November 18, 2003 52. Mary Oliver* the Governor’s and law enforcement of- rights, that among these are life, lib- 53. Mose Oliver* ficials’ requests that he drop the erty, and the pursuit of happiness. 54. Leroy Oliver charges. In 2000, the South Carolina Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I re- 55. Mitchel Oliver legislature cleared Reverend DeLaine’s serve the balance of my time. 56. Bennie Parson Jr.* Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- 57. Plummie Parson record, but much too late to honor his 58. Celestine Parson request. Reverend DeLaine died in 1974 er, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman 59. Edward Ragin* and is buried in Charlotte, North Caro- from South Carolina (Mr. SPRATT), the 60. Sarah Ragin lina. very bright and energetic ranking 61. Shirley Ragin Levi Pearson was a small Clarendon member of the Committee on the Budg- 62. Deloris Ragin County farmer. He responded to Rev- et. 63. Hazel Ragin* erend DeLaine’s request and sued the (Mr. SPRATT asked and was given 64. Zelia Ragin school district on behalf of his three permission to revise and extend his re- 65. Sarah Ellen Ragin children who were walking those 9 marks.) 66. Rebecca Ragin 67. Mable Ragin miles to school each day. His decision Mr. SPRATT. I thank the gentle- 68. William Ragin* was met with dire consequences. The woman for yielding me this time. 69. Glen Ragin local bank refused to provide him cred- Mr. Speaker, I rise in proud support 70. Luchrisher Richardson* it to purchase farming equipment and of H.R. 3287, which honors four South 71. Elane Richardson other farmers refused to lend him any Carolina heroes. Because of the cour- 72. Emanuel Richardson equipment. Shots were fired into his age of Joseph A. DeLaine, Harry 73. Rebecca Richburg* home and he was ostracized by his Briggs, Eliza Briggs and Levi Pearson, 74. Rebecca I. Richburg neighbors. Despite these actions, Pear- South Carolinians live in a better 75. E.E. Richburg State; but more important, Americans 76. Albert Richburg son continued with his suit. But in 77. Lee Johnson 1948, the United States District Court live in a better country. I can think of 78. Bessie Johnson dismissed Pearson’s suit, finding that no tribute to these brave South Caro- 79. Morgan Johnson although his farm was partially in linians more deserving or appropriate 80. Samuel Gary Johnson Clarendon School District 1, his house than a Congressional Gold Medal. 81. Lee Richardson* was situated in Clarendon School Dis- I have the same story to tell that the 82. James Richardson trict 2; and therefore he had no stand- gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. 83. Charles Richardson ing. Although his legal case was dis- CLYBURN) just told, but I cannot pos- 84. Annie L. Richardson sibly tell it with the same empathy 85. Dorothy Richardson missed, Pearson continued to fight 86. Jackson Richardson against segregation and later became that he related it, so I will not rehearse 87. Mary O. Lawson president of the local NAACP chapter. the facts that we have just heard, 88. Francis Lawson In spite of extreme hardships, he never which are stirring. I will enter those 89. Bennie Lee Lawson left his land. for the RECORD. 90. Mary Oliver Harry Briggs, a service station at- Let me simply say that, Mr. Speaker, 91. Daisy Oliver tendant, and his wife, Eliza, a maid at I have lived all my life in South Caro- 92. Louis Oliver Jr. a local motel, took up the cause. As did lina. I can imagine the resistance and 93. Esther F. Singleton Levi Pearson and Reverend DeLaine, intimidation that Joseph DeLaine and 94. Janie Fludde Levi Pearson and Harry and Eliza 95. Henry Scott* they suffered inhumane consequences 96. Mary Scott for their actions. They were fired from Briggs faced. These brave Americans 97. Irene Scott their jobs but they persevered, and as stood up for justice, and for their cour- 98. Willie M. Stukes* is often said, the rest is history. Be- age they paid a heavy price. Today we 99. Gardenia Stukes cause he was blackballed in South remember Dr. Martin Luther King and 100. Willie M. Stukes Jr. Carolina and could not find employ- , and we should. 101. Gardenia Stukes ment, Harry moved to Florida where he They were the giants of the civil rights 102. Louis W. Stukes lived out his productive life. Unlike movement. But without brave pioneers, 103. Gabriel Tyndal* foot soldiers like Joseph A. DeLaine, 104. Annie Tyndal Reverend DeLaine, he returned to 105. Mary L. Bennett South Carolina and is buried in his na- Levi Pearson, and Harry and Eliza 106. Lillian Bennett tive soil. Briggs, our schools would not have *Indicates those who served as named Every year on the Friday evening been desegregated in 1954. The Civil plaintiffs in the case of Briggs v. Elliott. nearest May 17, the South Carolina Rights Act of 1964 and 1965 may have Plaintiff’s also included James H. Bennett conference of branches of the NAACP been passed but not in those years. and G. H. Henry. holds its annual Freedom Fund dinner They sparked those events. At the time of their petition, black in honor of the Briggs petitioners. And I commend the gentleman from children in Clarendon County were ever since I have been a Member of this South Carolina (Mr. CLYBURN) for con- walking 9 miles each way to school, body, pictures of Mrs. DeLaine and ceiving and spearheading this resolu- and all they petitioned for was a school other principals in the case have been tion. I ask that all Members of the bus. When their request for a bus was prominently displayed on a wall of my House join us in voting to award Con- denied, they sought relief in the courts. office. gressional Gold Medals posthumously Reverend DeLaine was harassed by the Mr. Speaker, if not for the personal to the Reverend DeLaine, to Mr. and Ku Klux Klan and several attempts sacrifices of those like Reverend Mrs. Harry Briggs, and to Mr. Levi were made on his life. His church was DeLaine, Mr. Pearson, the Briggses and Pearson. In the words of Dr. King, they burned and when he responded in kind many others known and unknown, I made this country rise up and live out to gunshots that were fired into his and others like me may have never ex- the true meaning of its creed, that all home in 1955, law enforcement officials perienced membership in this body. men are created equal. issued a warrant for Reverend This bill reminds us that it is the ac- Mr. Speaker, I rise in proud support of H.R. DeLaine’s arrest. Fearing the con- tions of a preacher and educator, a 3287, honoring four South Carolina heroes. sequences, he and his family fled the farmer, a gas station attendant, and a Because of the courage of Joseph DeLaine, State. motel maid that initiated the efforts Harry Briggs, Eliza Briggs, and Levi Pearson, In 1971, Governor John C. West re- that changed American society forever. South Carolinians live in a better state and ceived a letter from Reverend DeLaine I hope that our actions here tonight re- Americans live in a better country. I can think advising that his health was failing and mind all Americans that it is not our of no tribute to these brave South Carolinians requesting that he be allowed to return station in life that makes us worthy of more deserving or appropriate than a Con- to South Carolina where he wished to honor and recognition, but our com- gressional Gold Medal. be buried. Governor West tasked me mitment to the principles and pursuit In 1949–50, there were 6,531 black stu- with the responsibility of getting it of the promise that all men are created dents enrolled in the Clarendon County public done. We failed, because one of the men equal, that they are endowed by their schools and 2,375 whites. The schools were who signed the arrest warrant refused Creator with certain unalienable separate and unequal. Clarendon County that

VerDate jul 14 2003 00:37 Nov 20, 2003 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00092 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A18NO7.157 H18PT2 November 18, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H11487 year spent $179 per white student and $43 outstanding warrant, he was effectively exiled The question was taken; and (two- per black student. Reverend Joseph DeLaine from South Carolina and never able to return thirds having voted in favor thereof) was a teacher in Clarendon County. He at- to Clarendon County. the rules were suspended and the bill tended a statewide meeting of the NAACP Mr. Speaker, I have lived all my life in South was passed. and heard the president decry segregation Carolina and I can imagine the resistance and A motion to reconsider was laid on and lay down a challenge saying, ‘‘No teacher intimidation that Joseph DeLaine, Levi Pear- the table. or preacher in South Carolina has the courage son, and Harry and Eliza Briggs faced. These f to find a plaintiff who will test the legality of brave Americans stood up for justice and for discriminatory bus transportation.’’ The Rev- their courage, they paid a heavy price. Today b 2115 erend DeLaine was moved to action. He went we remember Dr. Martin Luther King and NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AFRICAN to the Clarendon County School Board to ask Thurgood Marshall, as we should; they were AMERICAN HISTORY AND CUL- for a bus to carry children to and from Scotts the giants of the civil rights movement. But TURE ACT Branch High School. He pointed out that bus without brave pioneers like Joseph DeLaine, Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, I move to sus- service was available to white students at Levi Pearson, Harry and Eliza Briggs, our pend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. other county schools, and asked simply for the schools would not have been desegregated 3491) to establish within the Smithso- same bus service for black students attending and the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1965 nian Institution the National Museum Scotts Branch. When he was turned down, he would not have been passed. of African American History and Cul- appealed to the State Superintendent of Edu- I commend Congressman CLYBURN for con- ture, and for other purposes. cation in Columbia and the U.S. Attorney Gen- ceiving and spearheading this resolution, and The Clerk read as follows: eral, all to no avail. Reverend DeLaine then I ask that all members of this House join us H.R. 3491 enlisted Levi Pearson, a farmer with children in voting to award Congressional gold medals at Scotts Branch, to be plaintiff in a lawsuit posthumously to the Reverend DeLaine, to Mr. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- resentatives of the United States of America in against the Clarendon County Board of Edu- and Mrs. Harry Briggs, and to Mr. Levi Pear- Congress assembled, cation. Levi Pearson v. County Board of Edu- son. In the words of Dr. King, they made this SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. cation was brought but dismissed in 1948 on country ‘‘rise up and live out the true meaning This Act may be cited as the ‘‘National a technicality. Levi Pearson’s farm straddled of its creed, that all men are created equal.’’ Museum of African American History and the school district boundary, and his home Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I re- Culture Act’’. was held to be outside the school district’s serve the balance of my time. SEC. 2. FINDINGS. boundary. The court ruled that Pearson had Ms. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speak- Congress finds that— no standing, and dismissed his suit. er, I yield myself such time as I may (1) since its founding, the United States Undaunted, Reverend DeLaine, worked with consume. has grown into a symbol of democracy and the NAACP to draft a new petition to the State Eleanor Roosevelt said, ‘‘When will freedom around the world, and the legacy of Board of Education seeking not just school our consciences grow so tender that we African Americans is rooted in the very fab- buses, but educational equality across the will act to prevent human misery rath- ric of the democracy and freedom of the board for all black students in Clarendon er than avenge it?’’ I recall the words United States; of Chief Justice Earl Warren who said, (2) there exists no national museum within County. A petition with the necessary signa- the Smithsonian Institution that— tures was presented to the board. The first ‘‘It is the spirit and not the form of law (A) is devoted to the documentation of Af- name listed was Harry Briggs, a service sta- that keeps justice alive.’’ I want to rican American life, art, history, and cul- tion attendant in Summerton, South Carolina. commend the sponsors of this legisla- ture; and In retribution, Reverend DeLaine was fired tion for their foresight and insight. (B) encompasses, on a national level— from his job at Scotts Branch, and Harry The court action of Briggs v. Elliott (i) the period of slavery; Briggs lost his service station job. The state in South Carolina to end public school (ii) the era of Reconstruction; school board refused to act. segregation was a major component in (iii) the Harlem renaissance; Reverend DeLaine then sought the assist- the successful Brown v. Board of Edu- (iv) the civil rights movement; and (v) other periods associated with African ance of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and cation Supreme Court ruling which ef- American life, art, history, and culture; and in particular a lawyer by the name of Harold fectively struck down the so-called sep- (3) a National Museum of African Amer- Boulware in Columbia. Boulware, with the as- arate but equal. It is this ‘‘spirit of the ican History and Culture would be dedicated sistance of Thurgood Marshall, took the case law’’ that preceded Brown v. Board of to the collection, preservation, research, and and filed a new suit, Briggs v. Elliott, seeking Education in the form of Briggs v. El- exhibition of African American historical equal educational opportunities for all black liott. Before Briggs v. Elliott was and cultural material reflecting the breadth students in Clarendon County. By a 2–1 vote, Plessy v. Ferguson. Before Plessy were and depth of the experiences of individuals of a three-judge panel denied the plaintiffs in the 13th and the 14th amendments. African descent living in the United States. Briggs v. Elliott the relief they were seeking. And so, Mr. Speaker, I would encour- SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. Judge Waties Waring, another unsung hero, age each Member of this body to give In this Act: (1) BOARD OF REGENTS.—The term ‘‘Board wrote a dissenting opinion in favor of the proper honor to whom honor is due by of Regents’’ means the Board of Regents of plaintiffs. Briggs v. Elliott was appealed to the supporting unanimously this legisla- the Smithsonian Institution. Supreme Court, and eventually consolidated tion that will authorize the Congres- (2) COUNCIL.—The term ‘‘Council’’ means with four other cases, the first of which was sional Gold Medal to these deserving the National Museum of African American Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kan- citizens of the United States. History and Culture Council established by sas. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance section 5. Reverend DeLaine was in the Supreme of my time. (3) MUSEUM.—The term ‘‘Museum’’ means Court’s courtroom for the argument of Brown Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I yield the National Museum of African American v. Board of Education. A reporter quoted him myself such time as I may consume. History and Culture established by section 4. (4) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ as saying: ‘‘There were times when I thought Let me again commend the gen- means the Secretary of the Smithsonian In- I would go out of my mind because of this tleman from South Carolina (Mr. CLY- stitution. case, but if I had to do it again, I would. I feel BURN) for sponsoring H.R. 3287 and SEC. 4. ESTABLISHMENT OF MUSEUM. it was worth it. I have a feeling that the Su- Chairman OXLEY and Ranking Member (a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established preme Court is going to end segregation.’’ FRANK of the Committee on Financial within the Smithsonian Institution a mu- He was not only brave but prescient. In Services for their support of this legis- seum to be known as the ‘‘National Museum 1954, a unanimous Supreme Court vindicated lation. of African American History and Culture’’. the efforts of the Reverend Joseph A. DeLaine Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance (b) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the Museum with its unanimous decision in Brown v. Board of my time. shall be to provide for— of Education. It was a bittersweet victory for The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. (1) the collection, study, and establishment of programs relating to African American PEARCE). The question is on the motion Reverend DeLaine. Forced out of Clarendon life, art, history, and culture that encom- County on charges arising out of a confronta- offered by the gentlewoman from Illi- pass— tion with whites who threatened his home at nois (Mrs. BIGGERT) that the House sus- (A) the period of slavery; night, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina pend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. (B) the era of Reconstruction; where he founded a church. Because of the 3287. (C) the Harlem renaissance;

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