In Recognition of the 60th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education

Floor Speech

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, May 17, 2014 marked the sixtieth anniversary of the landmark United States Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education.

As Chief Justice Earl Warren wrote in his unanimous decision, ``In the field of public education the doctrine of `separate but equal' has no place. Separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.'' The Brown ruling declared that state laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students were unconstitutional under the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Although initially met with resistance, Brown v. Board of Education provided an impetus to education reform, paved the way for integration, and proved an integral part of the American Civil Rights Movement.

As we commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of this case, we celebrate the achievements that have been made in our country's classrooms to ensure that all students--regardless of color--receive a quality education. We still have a long way to go, however, to ensure that the promise of Brown is fully realized. Many school districts today have not fully desegregated. In addition, many students--particularly those who are minorities and come from low-income families--lack access to advanced placement classes; the latest education technology; safe learning environments; extracurricular activities; and clean, well-functioning classrooms. As we commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of Brown, it is vital that we take stock of its legacy and do all that we can to ensure that our children have equal opportunities to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in applauding the achievements that have come to fruition over the past six decades in the American classroom since Brown v. Board of Education. Let us work together to fully realize its promise and create a more perfect Union.

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