Black History Month: The Native Sons and Daughters of Alabama

Floor Speech

Ms. SEWELL of Alabama. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in honor of Black History Month and the countless contributions and sacrifices made by notable African Americans to this great Nation. I also stand before you to proclaim the month of February as a time of reflection for Alabama's Seventh Congressional District.

In honor of Black History Month, I thought it would be befitting that we pay honor and tribute to the native sons and daughters of Alabama that have made significant contributions not only to the great State of Alabama, but to this Nation. As representative of the Civil Rights District and a beneficiary of the sacrifices of so many, I have committed to sharing the stories of these extraordinary men and women throughout the month of February so that their contributions will forever be recorded and referenced in our Nation's history.

Today, I again begin with a tribute to Virgil Ware, 13, and Johnnie Robinson, 16. These American heroes and Birmingham natives lost their lives within hours of the historic bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church on Sunday, September 15, 1963.

While many of us have heard the heart-wrenching stories of the four little girls that perished in that bomb, many aren't aware that on that same day, Virgil and Johnnie were also victims of unspeakable and senseless violence.

Virgil Ware was born on December 6, 1949, in Birmingham, Alabama to James and Lorine Ware. He was the third of six children. One of his surviving brothers, Melvin Ware, describes Virgil as a special child who was exceptional in his educational endeavors. While his brothers were preparing for social gatherings, Virgil could be found reading a good book or perusing the encyclopedia. A few months before his death, the eighth-grader expressed to his older siblings that he was looking forward to joining them at the local high school next year. Before Virgil's dreams could be realized, he fell victim to a tragedy that would change the Ware family and this community forever.

Virgil, who sat on the handlebars of his brother's bike, was headed to join his brother on a paper route on the outskirts of Birmingham, Alabama, on Sunday, September 15, 1963. The brothers rode past a group of men who had just left a segregationist meeting in the city. One of the men was told to shoot at the Ware brothers to ``scare them.'' The man fired two shots in their direction. One bullet struck Virgil in his chest and another in his cheek. Tragically, the young boy who loved to read and help his family lost his life on that day. Virgil was the sixth young person to lose his life on that Sunday in Birmingham due to blatant violence.

Just one hour prior to Virgil's death, Johnnie Robinson joined a group of young boys at a local gas station. Johnnie was born on February 25, 1947, to Martha and Johnnie Robinson, Sr. His younger brother, Leon, describes him as a kid who loved playing baseball and basketball. Ironically, his favorite subject was history. Even at the tender age of 16, he understood that he and his siblings were living in a historic era. He came from a close-knit family and had lost his father in a racially-motivated killing just weeks before his own death.

The afternoon that Johnnie went to the gas station, tensions remained high as local citizens were still reeling from the news of the church bombing and the deaths of the ``four little girls.'' According to accounts that were published in the Birmingham News article, Johnnie and other young boys were being taunted by White teenagers with chants of opposing integration.

There was also reports of rocks being thrown in retaliation in the hours after the bombing. In the midst of all the chaos, Johnnie was killed by a police officer.

Some of our Nation's biggest heroes are those that fought on the front lines in pursuit of equality and justice. However, young Virgil and Johnnie serve as symbols of the heroes of the movement that we don't always recognize. Johnnie and Virgil should be remembered for their important sacrifices that were made, and this history of our Nation should not forget them.

As we celebrate Black History Month and the notable contributions of African Americans to this country, I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering these brave young men during the month of February and beyond. Their short lives serve as one of many catalysts for the transformative change in our country. While we know that their destinies were cut short, far too short, we remember them for their impact on the civil rights movement. During their short time on this Earth, these young souls should be counted in the number of our Nation's biggest heroes.

I hope that my colleagues will join me in celebrating the life and legacy of Virgil Ware and Johnnie Robinson, Jr., during this Black History Month period.

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