Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to support H. Res. 526, a resolution to recognize the 70th anniversary of John Mercer Langston Golf Course. This bill was introduced by Representative Norton of D.C., and I am a proud co-sponsor of this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution. As a result of segregation during the early 20th century, African- American golfers were unable to enjoy a round of golf at public courses within the District of Columbia. As a result, the John Mercer Langston Golf Course was built in 1939 as a golf course that African-Americans could call their own. The course was named for John Mercer Langston who, in 1855, became the first African-American elected to public office. He was the founder and first dean of Howard University's Law Department, now the Howard University School of Law. He was the first president of Virginia State University, and the first African-American congressman elected from Virginia. The golf course was originally built with only nine holes; however, today it is a full 18-hole golf course. The unique history of this golf course was recognized in 1991, when the first nine holes were placed on the National Register tor Historic Places. The John Mercer Langston Golf Course is the home course to the Royal Golf Club and the Wake Robin Golf Club, the Nation's first golf clubs for African-American men and women.…”