Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 901, a resolution to recognize November 14, 2009 as the 49th anniversary of the first day of integrated schools in New Orleans, Louisiana. I urge my colleagues to support this meaningful and important resolution. In 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools violated the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. On November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges, at the age of six, became the first African American student to attend an all-white school in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ruby Bridges attended William Frantz Elementary School every day, despite riots and protests. Ruby was taught by Barbara Henry in a classroom with no other students. Sadly, due to her efforts to educate young Ruby, Ms. Henry was not invited back to teach at William Frantz Elementary school after that year. In 1999, Ruby Bridges established the Ruby Bridges Foundation that fights racism and works to improve society by sharing the experiences of Ruby Bridges. Of course the need to integrate schools was not unique to New Orleans. The University Of Georgia, UGA, was a segregated school until 1961. UGA had strict admissions requirements--such as requiring personal recommendations from alumni, all of whom were white--in order to block African Americans from being admitted. In 1960, Charlayne Hunter and Hamilton Holmes applied to UGA. They were more than qualified for admission. Holmes was valedictorian of his high school and senior class president.…”