Washington, DC – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today submitted the following statement to the Congressional record, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People on its 100th Anniversary.  In 1909 the founders of the NAACP came together with the purpose of promoting the rights guaranteed under the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution. 

Today, the NAACP works to ensure that all individuals have equal rights and to end racial hatred and discrimination.  The NAACP has influenced some of the greatest civil rights victories of the last century, including:  the integration of our nation’s schools and the Brown v. Board decision; the Voting Rights Act; striking down segregation; and the Equal Employment Opportunity Act.

It is particularly notable that this year’s 100th anniversary also marks the first time in the history of the United States that we have an African-American President.  The NAACP helped pave the way for this landmark achievement, and continues to lay the groundwork for future accomplishments in minority communities.

Despite the advancements of the past 100 years under the leadership of the NAACP, there is still much work to be done.  The NAACP continues to promote new ideas and leadership in the fields of educational and employment opportunities, ending health care disparities, and economic empowerment.

The NAACP instilled in America a sense of consciousness, and it continues to do so today.  I commend the NAACP on this anniversary and the thousands of individuals who continue to fight for equality and justice.

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.