Bob Dole: “50 years ago our Nation witnessed a significant step in providing equal education for every child of every race. On May…”

“50 years ago our Nation witnessed a significant step in providing equal education for every child of every race. On May 17, 1954, the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of a young girl who had been denied enrollment in her neighborhood school simply because of the color of her skin. On the 50th Anniversary of the Supreme Court's Brown vs. the Board of Education ruling, I want to recognize the courage, vision and boldness of that decision and celebrate how far our country has come--and focus on a new bold vision that will lead us into the future. The Brown decision not only called for an end to segregation--it began a process of healing in America, still needed almost 100 years after the Civil War. The Brown decision affirmed the constitutional promise of equality for all Americans. It overturned laws that denied millions of school children freedom and choice in education and set this country on a new course, affirming civil and human rights while demanding the full respect and protection of the law for all people. Brown vs. the Board of Education was a decision of courage and conviction and was one of the finest moments of the American judicial system. But while this decision paved the way for the establishment of equal learning environments, today there is evidence of work yet to be done. Unfortunately, 50 years later, we still have a relatively two-tiered education system.”