| Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. 668, a resolution honoring and recognizing the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School by the Little Rock Nine. First, I would like to thank Chairman Conyers for his support and leadership in moving this resolution from the Judiciary Committee to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.
I am proud to be a cosponsor of this resolution, which honors the anniversary of the nine students who gained national attention 50 years ago when Little Rock Central High School was integrated. Little Rock Central High School found itself in the spotlight of the entire nation on September 25th, 1957, when nine students, escorted by the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, walked up the front steps and integrated the school.
The names of these nine individuals are barely recognizable alone, but collectively as the Little Rock Nine, they gained national attention for their strength and unified determination to make our public schools a place for everyone to learn – regardless of race.
This resolution honors their courage by commemorating the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School and encourages all Americans to recognize the historic contributions of the Little Rock Nine, who not only secured integration for Little Rock Central High School, but for hundreds of thousands of schools across our country.
Tomorrow marks the 50th anniversary of this historic event and I am also proud to be taking part in the celebration of this great civil rights achievement through the dedication of a permanent Little Rock Central High School Museum and Visitor Center.
The Little Rock Nine have been acknowledged with numerous awards and recognitions, including the 2007 Little Rock Central High School Desegregation 50th Anniversary Commemorative Coin and the Congressional Gold Medal in 1999. This resolution adds one more recognition to this important group of individuals.
However, as we memorialize their legacies of bravery so that future generations of Americans will forever know their struggle, we can never forget the sacrifices endured by these nine individuals for the sake of progress on behalf of millions. The Little Rock Nine are symbolic of the victorious dismantling of school segregation and as such, I am proud to cosponsor this resolution honoring their contribution and I urge my fellow colleagues to vote in favor of it today.
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PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 110th CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION 
