(Washington, DC) - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.Con.Res. 335, a resolution introduced by Congressman Al Green (TX-9) honoring the 97th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). H.Con.Res. 335 passed by a voice vote.  Green’s legislation comes at the close of Black History Month, and seeks to recognize the accomplishments of the NAACP in the civil rights movement.

“Throughout its history, the NAACP has changed the face of America.  As someone who has worked as part of the NAACP, serving as a branch president for approximately ten years, I have seen firsthand how instrumental the NAACP is in securing the rights of all Americans,” said Green.

Since the NAACP was founded on February 12, 1909, it has been committed to achieving equality through non-violence.  Originally known as the National Negro Committee, the NAACP was founded on the centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth by a multiracial group of activists who answered `The Call' for a national conference to discuss the civil and political rights of African Americans.

As the oldest and largest civil rights organization, the NAACP has used political pressure, peaceful protest, effective lobbying, and litigation to serve as the voice, as well as the shield, for minority Americans.  Its accomplishments include its prominence in lobbying for the passage of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957, 1960, and 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968.

“The NAACP filed and won the lawsuits Brown v. Board of Education, Barrows v. Jackson, and Shelley v. Kraemer, which served to help end segregation and discrimination in education and housing.  If the truth be told, we live where we live, we eat where we eat, and we sleep where we sleep because of the NAACP,” said Green.

“Even in the face of overt and violent racial hostility, members and leaders of the NAACP bravely continued their efforts.  Through the persistent use of legal and moral persuasion, the NAACP advanced its mission of racial equality,” added Green.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the NAACP launched the Disaster Relief Fund, which has raised almost $2 million to aid the survivors in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, and Alabama.  The cities involved incurred massive destruction and this fund will help serve the victims in their recovery process.

“The work of the NAACP continues today.  In its 98th year, it continues to fight for social and economic justice as well as to ensure that racial hatred and discrimination are eradicated from our society,” commented Green.