H4604 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 21, 2004 RECOGNIZING AND ENCOURAGING GENERAL LEAVE Mr. Speaker, I had the opportunity ALL AMERICANS TO OBSERVE Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. yesterday to visit the State of Mis- 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that sissippi and to visit the city of Phila- DEATHS OF ANDREW GOODMAN, all Members may have 5 legislative delphia in Neshoba County. days within which to revise and extend JAMES CHANEY, AND MICHAEL b 1500 SCHWERNER, CIVIL RIGHTS OR- their remarks on H. Con. Res. 450, and GANIZERS to include extraneous material on the Hundreds of black and white citizens concurrent resolution under consider- gathered in Neshoba County in the city Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. ation. of Philadelphia. The mayor of the city Speaker, I move to suspend the rules The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there of Philadelphia, the Governor, former and agree to the concurrent resolution objection to the request of the gentle- Governor Winters, the former Sec- (H. Con. Res. 450) recognizing the 40th woman from Michigan? retary of State, Dick Molpus, and hun- anniversary of the day civil rights or- There was no objection. dreds and hundreds of other citizens ganizers Andrew Goodman, James Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. gathered to pay tribute to these three Chaney, and Michael Schwerner gave Speaker, I yield myself such time as I young men. their lives in the struggle to guarantee may consume. Forty years ago today, three coura- the right to vote for every citizen of Mr. Speaker, Dr. Martin Luther King geous young Americans, Andy Good- the United States and encouraging all once said, ‘‘Injustice anywhere is a man, James Chaney and Mickey Americans to observe the anniversary threat to justice everywhere.’’ And Schwerner, paid the ultimate price for of the deaths of the 3 men by commit- during the Freedom Summer of 1964, a trying to secure voting rights for all of ting themselves to ensuring equal great injustice took place outside the our citizens. These three young men, rights, equal opportunities, and equal small town of Philadelphia, Mis- simply because they were black and justice for all people. sissippi. white working together to expand de- The Clerk read as follows: On June 21 of 1964, members of the Ku mocracy, were arrested by the sheriff Klux Klan attacked and murdered H. CON. RES. 450 and his deputy. Later that same three participants of the Freedom evening, they were taken to jail and Whereas Andrew Goodman, James Chaney, Summer project, an African American turned over to the Klan where they and Michael Schwerner were civil rights or- voter registration drive. Andrew Good- ganizers who participated in the Freedom were beaten, shot, and killed. man, James Chaney, and Michael As I said yesterday, and I will say it Summer Project organized by the Council of Schwerner were attacked after driving Federated Organizations to register African again today, it is unbelievable, it is Americans in the Deep South to vote; away from the scene of a firebombed unreal, but it did happen. These three Whereas on June 21, 1964, after leaving the church. The murders drew national at- young people did not die in Europe, scene of a firebombed church in Longdale, tention to the civil rights movement they did not die in Africa, in Vietnam Mississippi, Andrew Goodman, James taking place in the deep south. or the Middle East, but right here in Chaney, and Michael Schwerner were mur- Today, 40 years to the day after their our own country, in the heart of the dered by members of the Ku Klux Klan who murders, we remember the contribu- South, in the State of Mississippi. As a opposed their efforts to establish equal tions to America and to the Civil Nation and as a people we must never, rights for African Americans; Rights movement by Andrew Goodman, Whereas June 21, 2004, is the 40th anniver- ever forget the sacrifice they made. James Chaney and Michael Schwerner. sary of the day Andrew Goodman, James Their blood helped to cultivate and Mr. Speaker, four decades ago, poll Chaney, and Michael Schwerner sacrificed grow the seeds of our democracy. taxes, overly-complex voting tests, and their lives in the fight against racial and so- Forty years ago in the State of Mis- mental and physical attacks terribly cial injustice while working to guarantee the sissippi, that State had a black voting right to vote for every citizen of the United discouraged African Americans from age population of more than 450,000, States; voting in Mississippi during the 1960s. but only about 16,000 blacks were reg- Whereas the deaths of the 3 men brought The Freedom Summer project was istered to vote. People had to pass a so- attention to the struggle to guarantee equal launched to help combat this reality, called literacy test and interpret some rights for African Americans which led to and Goodman, Chaney and Schwerner the passage of monumental civil rights legis- section of the constitution of the State were active organizers of this effort. lation, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 of Mississippi. On one occasion there Sadly, it was not until news coverage and the Voting Rights Act of 1965; was a man who had a graduate degree, of their murders that many Americans Whereas the courage and sacrifice of An- a Ph.D. degree, and he flunked the so- drew Goodman, James Chaney, and Michael became aware of the unbelievable vio- called literacy test. On another occa- Schwerner should encourage all citizens of lence that was taking place here in our sion in an adjoining State, the State of the United States, and especially young peo- own country. The brutal murder of Alabama, a man was asked to give the ple, to dedicate themselves to the ideals of these three brave men was indeed a number of bubbles in a bar of soap. freedom, justice, and equality; and momentous event. In fact, it provided Whereas citizens throughout the United These three brave and courageous the basis for the 1988 film ‘‘Mississippi States will commemorate the 40th anniver- citizens, young citizens of America, Burning.’’ sary of the deaths of Andrew Goodman, must be looked upon as the founding James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner to Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate my distinguished colleague, the gen- fathers of the new America. James honor the contributions they made to the Chaney, Mickey Schwerner, and Andy Nation: Now, therefore, be it tleman from New York (Mr. OWENS), Goodman helped beat down one of the Resolved by the House of Representatives (the for his work to bring this solemn anni- Senate concurring), That Congress— versary to all of our attention. House mightiest walls of resistance to equal (1) recognizes the 40th anniversary of the Concurrent Resolution 450 is an impor- justice in America. We must never, day civil rights organizers Andrew Goodman, tant reminder of America’s volatile ever forget their sacrifice for the free- James Chaney, and Michael Schwerner gave past, and it aims to help all Americans dom of us all. They made it possible for their lives; and work to assure that such atrocities will many of us to stand here today in this (2) encourages all Americans to observe the Congress. anniversary of the deaths of the 3 men by never happen again. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge the res- Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure committing themselves to the fundamental and my delight to yield such time as principles of freedom, equality, and olution’s adoption. democracy. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of she may consume to the gentlewoman my time. from the District of Columbia (Ms. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without NORTON), who came to Mississippi as a ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from objection, and pursuant to unanimous young lawyer, brave, courageous, to Michigan (Mrs. MILLER) and the gentle- consent, the gentleman from Georgia work during the summer of 1964 with woman from the District of Columbia (Mr. LEWIS) will control the time. those of us in the Student Nonviolent (Ms. NORTON) each will control 20 min- There was no objection. Coordinating Committee. utes. Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I thank The Chair recognizes the gentle- I yield myself such time as I may con- the gentleman from Georgia for yield- woman from Michigan (Mrs. MILLER). sume. ing me this time.

VerDate May 21 2004 04:24 Jun 22, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K21JN7.025 H21PT1 June 21, 2004 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4605 At the time that I was in Mississippi, Let me also say that we certainly their legacy within United States history. To the gentleman was Chair of the Stu- honor the gentleman from Georgia as honor the 25th anniversary of the murders, dent Nonviolent Coordinating Com- well as the gentlewoman from the Dis- their family members spoke at an African mittee. And while in 1964, I guess I had trict of Columbia. They have earned all American—Jewish communal relations Seder. become a lawyer because I had grad- the respect of every American. They James Chaney’s brother, Ben, has dedicated uated, I first came to Mississippi in certainly are some of the greatest civil his life to ensuring the civil rights of all Ameri- 1963 in order to prepare for the summer rights leaders that this Nation will cans. This year, as founder of the James Earl of 1964 when students would come to ever have seen. Let me say that we Chaney Foundation, he created the Freedom the South and help the Student Non- honor them both as well. Summer 2004 Ride For Justice. The 20-bus violent Coordinating Committee to Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, caravan embarked on June 10th and is cur- register African Americans to vote in I thank the gentlewoman for her kind rently traveling around the country to visit a large numbers in the South. remarks. variety of historically important civil rights me- The gentleman from Georgia and our Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I morial sites, including the grave of his brother. Southern colleagues in the Student rise today to honor the 40th anniversary of the Ben is also continuing the mission of voter Nonviolent Coordinating Committee devastating murder of three courageous civil registration for which the three men were mur- had, in fact, essentially opened up rights heroes. We must preserve the memory dered. much of the Southeast and they want- of James Chaney, Andrew Goodman, and Mi- These three civil rights workers are among ed to tackle Mississippi, the hardest chael Schwerner, who boldly fought for African the few of the brave leaders who led our territory in the civil rights struggle. In American suffrage and helped strengthen the country out of the darkness of intolerance and the summer of 1963, we experimented historic alliance between African Americans discrimination, allowing future generations to with freedom schools, which is what we and Jews. The initial disappearance of these live without fear. All of us as Americans must were about doing in 1964. We were three leaders spurred new efforts to register take the time today, and every day in the fu- going to bring African Americans, the African Americans to vote. Later on, national ture, to make a firm commitment to honor their sharecroppers out of the cotton fields, indignation over their murders provided the memory by fighting even harder to safeguard talk about how they should prepare final impetus for the passage of President the ideals for which they stood. We can learn themselves to pass the test, and try to Johnson’s 1964 Civil Rights Act. Together with from what they embodied and continue their register people. the Voting Rights Act passed the following work to stamp out prejudice forever. It is our The summer of 1964 was a summer of year, legally mandated segregation in Mis- duty to remember by guaranteeing that the Af- both heartbreak and hope because no sissippi and throughout the South was abol- rican American voice be heard through the sooner had the students arrived than ished. ballot box. We must preserve the historic ties we lost three of them in one of the The Congress of Racial Equality, (CORE) of oppression that bind the African American worst atrocities in the entire history of called the summer of 1964 ‘‘Freedom Sum- and Jewish communities together. For the our country in Philadelphia, Mis- mer’’ and led a massive voter registration and three who died, we will still continue the strug- sissippi, an unforgettable sacrifice of desegregation campaign in Mississippi. This gle for justice. three young people, one a native of summer was filled with the promise of imple- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to reflect Mississippi, the other two from the menting successful civil rights reforms. On on the passing of James Chaney, Andrew North who had simply come to peace- June 21st as part of the Freedom Summer ac- Goodman, and Michael Schwerner, and to fully register people. tivities, Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner honor them by promoting tolerance and pre- We must not forget the summer of drove to Neshoba County to express sym- serving the civil liberties and right to equality 1964, because while it was the summer to which every American, regardless of their of great sacrifice, it was also the sum- pathy with the congregation of Mt. Zion Church, which had been recently demolished race, gender, ethnicity or religion, is entitled. mer when, in fact, at the Democratic Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, National Convention, we broke the no- by the Klu Klux Klan. In a conspiracy between elements of the local law enforcement and the I rise in strong support of the bill before us, H. tion that delegations to political con- Con. Res. 450, and thank the gentleman from ventions could be discriminatory. It Ku Klux Klan, the activists were arrested, and New York, Mr. OWENS, for his hard work in was the summer when we were passing upon their release taken to a remote area, bringing it to the floor for passage. I am an the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Indeed, a bill brutally beaten, and shot to death. original co-sponsor of this legislation because on suspension to commemorate the James Chaney, an African American civil it calls us to recognize three young men who 40th anniversary of the 1964 Civil rights worker from Mississippi, had recently were in fact civilian soldiers. They knew the Rights Act will be on the floor. begun to volunteer at the new CORE office in But it is important for us not to for- Meridian, Mississippi. Chaney had rapidly be- grave dangers that faced them and yet they get how we got to these great land- come the chief aide, guide, and companion to entered a hostile area to ensure that all men marks, particularly the civil rights the CORE director, Matt Suarez. He was only and women in our Nation would have equal legislation. We got to them through a 21 when he was murdered. access and opportunity to exercise the funda- lot of sacrifice, some sacrifice by very Andy Goodman, a white, Jewish, civil rights mental right to vote. These young men lived young people who helped our country worker from New York, had arrived earlier that lives of peace, but unfortunately their lives reach one of its greatest aspirations, morning in Mississippi to participate as a vol- were taken away from them through violence. and that is that everybody should be unteer in the Mississippi Summer Project. Every young person in this country can take treated the same way and have the Goodman was known as an intelligent, unas- Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and right to vote. suming, happy, and outgoing youth, and had James Chaney as role models, true examples We remember Goodman, Chaney, and arrived excited and anxious to improve the of self-sacrifice and courage, individuals who Schwerner today for the tragedy, to be rights of African Americans. He was only 20 not only served others, they in fact changed sure, but for the way in which their when he was murdered. the course of our Nation through their actions. sacrifice reminded people that we could Michael Schwerner, another white, Jewish, The solidarity that these noble men dis- overcome this greatest flaw in our de- civil rights worker from New York, was on a played despite the pressures that existed to mocracy. We are still in the process of mission in Mississippi to reorganize the com- keep African Americans and Whites divided overcoming. But we will have a much munity center as well as other programs. was unprecedented and evidence of pure better chance of achieving a more per- Schwerner was the first white civil rights work- leadership. Michael Schwerner, Andrew Good- fect society with racial discrimination er to be permanently based outside of Jack- man, and James Chaney knew that their ac- gone if we remember the sacrifices of son, Mississippi. Although he came under at- tions to increase voter rights and the fact that such Americans as these very young tack, including hate mail, threatening phone they were a coalition of two White and one Af- men, Goodman, Chaney, and calls, and police harassment for his deter- rican-American men would incite hatred, dis- Schwerner. mined efforts to register African Americans to gust, and violent reaction. Their deaths ulti- Mr. LEWIS of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, vote, his dedication to fostering tolerance was mately facilitated the passage of one of the I have no further requests for time, and unwavering. He was only 24 when he was Civil Rights bills and showed America that the I yield back the balance of my time. murdered. two races could unite. Therefore, we will al- Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Since their tragic murder, the family mem- ways remember them as martyrs of an honor- Speaker, I yield myself such time as I bers of these three activists have continued to able cause in the same ilk as Dr. Martin Lu- may consume. preserve both their memory as individuals and ther Kind, Jr., and Malcolm X.

VerDate May 21 2004 03:45 Jun 22, 2004 Jkt 029060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4634 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\K21JN7.027 H21PT1 H4606 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE June 21, 2004 I want to take a moment to talk about these cisive battleground for America. Nowhere in the Worcester Brown Stockings, Cy Young of three young men as individuals. I hope that the world is the idea of white supremacy more the Boston Pilgrims, Addie Joss of the Cleve- through the retelling of their lives we will be firmly entrenched, or more cancerous, than in land Indians, Charlie Robertson of the Chi- able to understand that these three men were cago White Sox, Don Larsen of the New York Mississippi.’’ Michael Schwerner was only Yankees, Jim Bunning of the Philadelphia normal individuals with families who loved twenty-four when he was killed in Meridian. Phillies, Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles them and hopes for the future, but instead of Mr. Speaker, we must work to ensure that Dodgers, Catfish Hunter of the Oakland Ath- living a safe life they took an extraordinary Michael Schwerner, Andrew Goodman, and letics, Len Barker of the Cleveland Indians, chance to fulfill justice and now today they James Chaney did not die in vain. The Civil Mike Witt of the California Angels, Tom have rightfully assumed the mantle of great- Rights movement exists only as much as we Browning of the Cincinnati Reds, Dennis ness. act and these three young men are the epit- Martinez of the Montreal Expos, Kenny Rog- James Chaney was born May 30, 1943 in ome of that idea. I support this legislation and ers of the Texas Rangers, David Wells of the New York Yankees, and David Cone of the Meridian, Mississippi to Ben and Fannie Lee hope that my colleagues will do the same to Chaney. In 1963, he joined the Congress of New York Yankees; send the message that the great sacrifices of Whereas during his perfect game Randy Racial Equality (CORE). In 1964, CORE led a these heroic individuals will never be forgot- Johnson threw only 117 pitches, 87 of which massive voter registration and desegregation ten. were strikes, struck out 13 of the 27 hitters campaign in Mississippi called Freedom Sum- Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. he faced, and had his last pitch clocked at 98 mer. Chaney had begun volunteer work at the Speaker, I yield back the balance of miles per hour; and new CORE office in Meridian in October, my time. Whereas Randy Johnson is considered one 1963, his work ranged from constructing book- The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. of the best pitchers in baseball today, and his perfect game only adds to his impressive shelves at the community center to traveling to TERRY). The question is on the motion list of accomplishments and his reputation rural counties to set up meetings. Chaney, offered by the gentlewoman from being black, was able to go places while as one of the dominant pitchers in baseball Michigan (Mrs. MILLER) that the House history: Now, therefore, be it CORE members were afraid to go. Chaney suspend the rules and agree to the con- Resolved, That the House of Representa- was only twenty-one when he died on Rock current resolution, H. Con. Res. 450. tives— Cut Road. The question was taken; and (two- (1) congratulates Randy Johnson of the Ar- Andrew Goodman was only 20 when he thirds having voted in favor thereof) izona Diamondbacks on pitching a perfect died on Rock Cut Road on June 21, 1964, the rules were suspended and the con- game on May 18, 2004; and near the end of his first full day in Mississippi. (2) recognizes Randy Johnson for a bril- current resolution was agreed to. liant career. Goodman had arrived in the state early the A motion to reconsider was laid on The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- previous morning after attending a tree-day the table. training session in Ohio for volunteer for the ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from Mississippi Summer Project. Goodman arrived f Michigan (Mrs. MILLER) and the gen- in Mississippi excited and anxious to get to REMOVAL OF NAME OF MEMBER tleman from Georgia (Mr. LEWIS) each work. Goodman was intelligent, unassuming, AS COSPONSOR OF H.R. 163 will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentle- happy, and outgoing. While a high school Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask sophomore, Goodman traveled to Washington, woman from Michigan (Mrs. MILLER). unanimous consent that my name be Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. DC to participate in the ‘‘Youth March for Inte- removed as cosponsor of H.R. 163. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I grated Schools.’’ Although not seeing himself The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there may consume. as a professional reformer, Goodman knew objection to the request of the gentle- May 18, 2004, will go down in history that his life had been somewhat sheltered and woman from the District of Columbia? for all fans of the Arizona thought that the experience would be edu- There was no objection. Diamondbacks and all fans of Major cational and useful. League Baseball because on that night, Michael Schwerner was the most despised f 40-year-old Randy Johnson became the civil rights worker in Mississippi. Klan Imperial CONGRATULATING RANDY JOHN- oldest pitcher in major league history Wizard Sam Bowers ordered Schwerner’s SON OF THE ARIZONA to throw a perfect game. He retired all ‘‘elimination’’ in May, 1964. The Klan finally DIAMONDBACKS ON PITCHING A 27 Atlanta Braves he faced to lead his got their chance to carry out the elimination PERFECT GAME team, the Arizona Diamondbacks, to a order on June 21. Because they were with Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. 2–0 victory. It took him 117 pitches to Schwerner, and would know too much if they Speaker, I move to suspend the rules throw the first perfect game, and first were not killed, James Chaney and Andy and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 660) no-hitter, in Diamondbacks’ history. Goodman also had to die. Schwerner had congratulating Randy Johnson of the Johnson became only the 17th pitcher come to Mississippi in January of 1964 with Arizona Diamondbacks on pitching a in major league history to pitch a per- his wife Rita after having been hired as a perfect game on May 18, 2004. fect game. On this day in May, Randy CORE field worker. In his application for the The Clerk read as follows: Johnson was, indeed, perfect. He re- CORE position, Schwerner, a native of New H. RES. 660 corded 13 strikeouts, and he put out the York City, wrote ‘‘I have an emotional need to other 14 Atlanta hitters during his daz- offer my services in the South.’’ Schwerner Whereas on May 18, 2004, Randy Johnson of the Arizona Diamondbacks became only the zling display of pitching dominance. added that he hoped to spend ‘‘the rest of his 17th pitcher in Major League Baseball his- Perhaps the neatest thing about life’’ working for an integrated society. On Jan- tory to throw a perfect game; Johnson’s perfect night was the sup- uary 15, 1964, Michael and Rita left New York Whereas at age 40 Randy Johnson is the port he enjoyed from the Atlanta fans. in their VW Beetle for Mississippi. After talking oldest pitcher in Major League Baseball his- As Johnson neared his momentous ac- with civil rights leader Bob Moses in Jackson, tory to throw a perfect game; complishment toward the end of the Schwerner was sent to Meridian to organize Whereas Randy Johnson is only the 5th game, the 20,000-plus fans in Atlanta, the community center and other programs in pitcher in Major League Baseball history to keep in mind these are the fans of the the largest city in eastern Mississippi. throw no-hitters in both the American and National Leagues; opposing team, encouraged him with Schwerner became the first white civil rights Whereas throughout his 17 years in Major standing ovations and chanted his worker to be permanently based outside of the League Baseball, Randy Johnson has won a name. It was a terrific night for Amer- capital of Jackson. Once in Meridian, World Series, been named World Series co- ica’s favorite pastime and a terrific Schwerner quickly earned the hatred of local MVP, thrown 2 no-hitters, won Cy Young night for Randy Johnson and the Ari- KKK by organizing a boycott of a variety store Awards in both the American and National zona Diamondbacks. until the store, which sold mostly to blacks, Leagues, and set multiple strikeout records, Mr. Speaker, the House salutes hired its first African American. He also came trailing only Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson for pitching a perfect under heavy attack for his determined efforts and Steve Carlton on the all-time strikeout game. The gentleman from Arizona leaders list; (Mr. SHADEGG) is the sponsor of this to register blacks to vote. After a few months Whereas by pitching a perfect game Randy in Meridian, despite hate mail and threatening Johnson joins an elite class of pitchers that resolution and certainly he should be phone calls and police harassment, Schwerner spans the ages and includes some of the all- applauded for his eagerness to honor believed he made the right decision in coming time baseball greats, including John Ward of Randy Johnson’s historic feat. I cer- to Mississippi. Mississippi, he said, ‘‘is the de- the Providence Giants, John Richmond of tainly encourage all Members, even

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