TRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE PASADENA BRANCH; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 139
(Extensions of Remarks - August 27, 2019)
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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1076]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TRIBUTE TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED
PEOPLE PASADENA BRANCH
______
HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Mr. SCHIFF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Pasadena
Branch upon its centennial anniversary.
Established on September 8, 1919, the NAACP Pasadena Branch was
founded when a small group of citizens gathered at the request of John
Wright, founder, NAACP Pasadena Branch, to address the needs of
Pasadena's minority population. As the recipient of the national
NAACP's 16th charter, the Pasadena Branch emerged during the NAACP's
initial period of membership growth and meteoric rise to national
prominence. The Pasadena Branch's founding mission was to serve as the
voice of all people who were denied the basic dignities rightfully due
to human beings, especially African American residents in Pasadena.
Over the past century, the national NAACP has proven itself as the
country's premier civil rights organization, fulfilling its mission of
ensuring the educational, political, social, and economic equality of
minority groups in the United States and eliminating prejudice based on
race. Among its many national achievements, the NAACP played crucial
roles in the establishment of the Fair Employment Practices Committee
in 1941, the integration of the U.S. Armed Forces, the passage of the
Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1964, and 1968, and the Voting Rights Act of
1965.
Locally, the NAACP Pasadena Branch followed the national
organization's course of action by petitioning for school and municipal
employment, home ownership, and access to public swimming pools for
African Americans. Under the leadership of Ruby McKnight Williams in
the 1970's, the Pasadena Branch also supported two national precedent-
setting school integration cases in the Supreme Court, paving the way
for a more just and inclusive education system in our public schools.
Today, the Pasadena Branch continues its commitment to racial justice
and equality through community engagement, partnering with local
organizations to find solutions for issues such as affordable housing,
a livable minimum wage and law enforcement matters. To inspire and
prepare the next generation of leaders, activists, and engaged
citizens, the Pasadena Branch organizes the Afro-Academic, Cultural,
Technological, and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) to encourage and
stimulate academic and cultural achievement among high school students.
In addition, the branch awards the Maurice Morse Scholarship to high
achieving African American students in the Pasadena area pursuing
higher education.
I am honored to recognize the NAACP Pasadena Branch for 100 years of
outstanding service to the community and its commitment to eliminating
racial barriers. I ask all Members to join me in congratulating the
Pasadena Branch for its remarkable achievements.
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