Honoring the 50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer & The Civil Rights Act of 1964

Floor Speech

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is one of the most important laws enacted in this country. President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 2, 1964, signed this critical piece of legislation into law. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is recognized as one of the most significant turning points in America's political and social development. In a country divided by racism and bigotry, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made discriminatory practices in education, public establishments and by employers, illegal. This historic legislation served as a catalyst for efforts towards equality across the country. In addition, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, along with Freedom Summer marked the climax of intensive voter-registration activities in the South that began in 1961.

Prior to 1962, Mississippi faced significantly low levels of African-American voter registration. In fact, less than 7% of African-Americans were registered to vote within the state. In order to increase those numbers and register voters across the state Freedom Summer was born. While serving as an expanded voter registration project, Freedom Summer also helped to address the issue of the separate and unequal public education system. Efforts enacted during Freedom Summer established over 41 Freedom Schools attended by more than 3,000 young African-American students throughout the state.

Despite major challenges, Freedom Summer left a positive legacy. The well-publicized voter registration drives brought national attention to the subject of black disenfranchisement, leading to the 1965 Voting Rights Act, federal legislation that among other things outlawed the tactics Southern states had used to prevent blacks from voting. Freedom Summer also instilled among African Americans a new consciousness and a new confidence in political action.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Freedom Summer and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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