Horsford Statement on the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act

Statement

Today, Representative Steven Horsford (NV-4) released the following statement in recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964:

"On this day 50 years ago, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law one of the most significant pieces of legislation of the 20th century. The Civil Rights Act was the culmination of a century-long battle for self-respect, acknowledgement of human dignity, and full, equal protection under the law.

"The fight for justice is never easy, and this historic victory was achieved with grassroots support across the country and thoughtful, bipartisan negotiations in Congress. The Civil Rights movement was a turning point in American culture and society, and the Civil Rights Act enshrined into law the fundamental principle that no American can be discriminated based on the color of their skin.

"The Civil Rights Act set the stage for other anti-discrimination measures passed by Congress. However, we must commit ourselves to continue the fight to achieve equality under the law for all.

"This includes protecting the fundamental right to vote, which still today is not a reality. Voter discrimination is still a significant and salient problem in communities across the country, and the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2014 would help strengthen the democratic process for all."

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