John Kerry Statement on Passing of Vivian Malone Jones

[Mass]

http://kerry.senate.gov

John Kerry Statement on Passing of Vivian Malone Jones

Washington, DC - Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) issued the following statement on the passing of Vivian Malone Jones:

"Today we live in an America where we can take it for granted when millions of African Americans register for college classes without facing death threats. It's too easy for some to forget a very different time in America when two extraordinary two high school graduates named Vivian Malone Jones and James Hood had to put their lives on the line and help break the backbone of segregation just to register for college classes. Today we each need to take a moment to remember that in 1963 at the University of Alabama, two African-American students' simple wish to earn a college degree from an accredited, whites-only institution was unthinkable -- almost.

"On the morning of June 11 of that year, Vivian Malone Jones, who passed away yesterday, and James Hood walked up to Foster Auditorium to register for their first classes at UA. There they were confronted by none other than the Governor George C. Wallace, who blocked them from entering with his infamous promise to 'stand in the schoolhouse door'. "Fortunately, the federal government demonstrated courage rare for that period in our history, and intervened to allow these students to register. For Vivian Malone Jones and James Hood the fight was just beginning. Their academic years were not always pleasant. They stood up to racism and bigotry with quiet, steely resolve every day, and Vivian Malone Jones defied those who sought to deny her equal opportunity and graduated in 1965 with a degree in business management. "In her life that followed, she was a shining example of the power and endurance of the human spirit. She went on to work for the civil rights division of the U.S. Department of Justice, and served as director of civil rights and urban affairs and director of environmental justice for the Environmental Protection Agency. Most poignantly, many years after she faced its namesake at the schoolhouse door, the George Wallace Family Foundation chose Jones to be the first recipient of its Lurleen B. Wallace Award of Courage.

"Remembering and reflecting on the courage of those we have lost is important to maintaining and furthering the progress of the Civil Rights Movement. We mourn the loss of Vivian Malone Jones today with great sympathy for her family and all those whose lives she touched. Her legacy is alive every time -- without controversy, without threats of violence, without fear -- a young African American can walk through those schoolhouse doors and realize the promise of the American Dream and the real meaning of equal opportunity."

[globalvillage]

1. That kind of stuff makes me weepy with pride.

Very nice statement. I knew he'd say something touching and relevant. I like the mix of historical fact and moving sentiment.
Do you know if bush* bothered to acknowledge her passing?

[politicasista]

2. Thanks for posting this

Nice statement from Kerry.

:hi:

[karynnj]

3. Beautiful statement

[TayTay]

4. Thanks for posting this.

Journeys not done yet, but every so often it's nice to note how many miles there are on the speedometer.

I just wish that everyone who complains about 'Massachusetts liberals' could stop and read stuff like this and then maybe they would see why we in MA keep electing fine statesman like Sen. Kerry. (And Sen. Kennedy whose committment to truly realizing the dream of civil rights for all is also outstanding.) This is where some of the reputations comes from and it makes me proud.

[Mass]

5. John Kerry Statement on Passing of Dr. C. DeLores Tucker

http://kerry.senate.gov/v3/cfm/record.cfm?id=247300

John Kerry Statement on Passing of Dr. C. DeLores Tucker

Washington, DC - Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) issued the following statement on the passing of Dr. C. DeLores

"Yesterday America lost one of the great citizen leaders of the 20th and early 21st century. Dr. C. DeLores Tucker was an activist, a publisher, an educator, and, most of all, a leader. She had a vision of a better America, where all people are recognized and respected, and she inspired others with her determination.

"Tucker led an extraordinary, accomplished life. She marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Deep South, fought to make real the right to vote, founded the historic National Congress of Black Women, and served as the first woman Secretary of State in Pennsylvania where she successfully urged the Governor to appoint women and African Americans to unprecedented numbers of leadership positions.

"She made invaluable contributions to the Democratic Party, serving as chair of the Democratic National Committee Black Caucus and President of the National Federation of Democratic Women.

"In the face of harsh criticism, Tucker took on the gangster rap industry for its degrading and violent lyrics. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind, even, indeed especially, when it wasn't the popular thing to do. If even a handful of tomorrow's leaders follow in her footsteps, the America we love can look forward to a much stronger future for all."

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