Centennial Celebration of Newtown Commemoration

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the centennial celebration of Sarasota's African American community of Newtown.

Since its initial development in 1914, Newtown has experienced tremendous challenges and historic triumphs.

In the early 1900s, African Americans were recruited to provide an adequate workforce during Sarasota's economic boom. Many of them moved into the Newtown community.
In its early years, Newtown flourished, despite segregation, with several successful small businesses, schools and churches.

In 1961, four years after the U.S. Supreme Court's Brown vs. Board of Education Court decision that declared laws establishing separate public schools for black and white students unconstitutional, the NAACP filed a desegregation lawsuit in federal court. And in 1962, the first African American students enrolled in what had been all-white schools.

Twenty years later, the NAACP successfully challenged Sarasota's system of local representation, alleging it prevented the election of blacks to city government, and in 1985 Fred Atkins became the first African American to serve on the city commission.
I appreciate this opportunity to help celebrate the rich heritage of Newtown.

Source