Elijah Cummings: “I rise this evening to begin the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the…”

“I rise this evening to begin the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the United States Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision. Mr. Speaker, the Brown v. Board of Education decision is one of the greatest decisions of the United States Supreme Court. That decision eliminated the ``separate but equal'' doctrine in our public school systems and ended what was one of the most abhorrent policies ever put in place in the United States. ``Today, education is perhaps the most important function of State and local governments. It is required in the performance of our most basic public responsibilities, even service in the Armed Forces. It is the very foundation of good citizenship. Today, it is a principal instrument in awakening a child to cultural values, in preparing him for later professional training, and in helping him to adjust normally to his environment. In these days, it is doubtful that any child may reasonably be expected to succeed in life if he is denied the opportunity of an education. Such an opportunity when the State has undertaken to provide it is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.''”