Historical Documents: 1964 Civil Rights Act
Discharge Petition for H.R. 7152 – Page 1
After passage in the House Judiciary Committee, the Civil Rights Act languished in the House Rules Committee under Chairman Howard W. Smith of Virginia. Judiciary Chairman Emanuel Celler of New York attempted to use a discharge petition to bypass the Rules Committee and bring the measure directly to the House Floor. Unable to collect the required 218 signatures (a majority of House Members), Celler’s discharge petition failed, but it pressured Smith to hold hearings on H.R. 7152 in the Rules Committee.
Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Center for Legislative Archives, National Archives and Records Administration
Discharge Petition for H.R. 7152 – Page 2
After passage in the House Judiciary Committee, the Civil Rights Act languished in the House Rules Committee under Chairman Howard W. Smith of Virginia. Judiciary Chairman Emanuel Celler of New York attempted to use a discharge petition to bypass the Rules Committee and bring the measure directly to the House Floor. Unable to collect the required 218 signatures (a majority of House Members), Celler’s discharge petition failed, but it pressured Smith to hold hearings on H.R. 7152 in the Rules Committee.
Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Center for Legislative Archives, National Archives and Records Administration
Discharge Petition for H.R. 7152 – Page 3
After passage in the House Judiciary Committee, the Civil Rights Act languished in the House Rules Committee under Chairman Howard W. Smith of Virginia. Judiciary Chairman Emanuel Celler of New York attempted to use a discharge petition to bypass the Rules Committee and bring the measure directly to the House Floor. Unable to collect the required 218 signatures (a majority of House Members), Celler’s discharge petition failed, but it pressured Smith to hold hearings on H.R. 7152 in the Rules Committee.
Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Center for Legislative Archives, National Archives and Records Administration
Discharge Petition for H.R. 7152 – Page 4
After passage in the House Judiciary Committee, the Civil Rights Act languished in the House Rules Committee under Chairman Howard W. Smith of Virginia. Judiciary Chairman Emanuel Celler of New York attempted to use a discharge petition to bypass the Rules Committee and bring the measure directly to the House Floor. Unable to collect the required 218 signatures (a majority of House Members), Celler’s discharge petition failed, but it pressured Smith to hold hearings on H.R. 7152 in the Rules Committee.
Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Center for Legislative Archives, National Archives and Records Administration
Engrossed Copy of H.R. 7152
Legislating can be messy. The engrossed, or official, copy of the Civil Rights Act shows H.R. 7152 after initial passage in the House of Representatives on February 10, 1964. Here, amendments to the bill are taped to the original text as legislation is “stitched” together during debate.
Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Center for Legislative Archives, National Archives and Records Administration
Repeal Petition for H.R. 7152
Congressional consideration of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 brought with it a flood of constituent mail both for and against the bill. In this petition, constituents of Representative Gillis W. Long of Louisiana call for a national election to decide the fate of the civil rights legislation.
House Judiciary Committee Record, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Center for Legislative Archives, National Archives and Records Administration
Roll Call Vote on Final Passage of H.R. 7152
On February 10, 1964, the House passed the Civil Rights Act, 290 to 130. This roll call sheet, used by the Clerk of the House, shows how Members at the beginning of the alphabet voted on the measure.
Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Center for Legislative Archives, National Archives and Records Administration
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Page 1
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 enforced the constitutional right of all citizens to vote, as conferred by the 15th Amendment to the Constitution. This first page of the public law amends the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960, restricting the use of literacy tests and other unfair voter qualifications.
House Judiciary Committee Record, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Center for Legislative Archives, National Archives and Records Administration
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Page 2
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 enforced the constitutional right of all citizens to vote, as conferred by the 15th Amendment to the Constitution. This second page of the public law amends the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960, restricting the use of literacy tests and other unfair voter qualifications.
House Judiciary Committee Record, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Center for Legislative Archives, National Archives and Records Administration
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Page 3
Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 addressed the longstanding issue of discrimination in public accommodations in America. This third page of the public law outlines specific establishments subject to this provision.
House Judiciary Committee Record, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Center for Legislative Archives, National Archives and Records Administration
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 – Page 4
Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 addressed the longstanding issue of discrimination in public accommodations in America. This fourth page of the public law outlines provisions related to compliance.
House Judiciary Committee Record, Records of the U.S. House of Representatives, Center for Legislative Archives, National Archives and Records Administration