Resolution recognizes 101st anniversary

Both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have passed a resolution honoring and celebrating the NAACP on the occasion of our 101st Anniversary. The legislation, H. Con. Res. 242, was introduced by Congressman Al Green (TX), who has introduced similar resolutions every year on our anniversary and who is a champion of several NAACP legislative efforts. The resolution was championed in the Senate by Senator Christopher Dodd (CT), who has also consistently supported the NAACP and many of our legislative efforts during his tenure in office.

Specifically, the resolution recognizes the 101st anniversary of the historic founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; and honors and praises the NAACP on the occasion of its anniversary for its work to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of all persons. This resolution passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 421 yeas to 0 nays on June 16, 2010 and then passed the U.S. Senate by unanimous consent on June 18, 2010.

During the debate in the House, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN), who managed the bill on the floor, said “Their unwavering commitment to protect and promote civil rights for all Americans is a proud tradition that the NAACP continues today.” Congressman Lamar Smith (TX) celebrated “the oldest and largest civil rights organization in the United States today,” and Congressman Green, who is also a former NAACP Houston branch president stated, “…we live where we live, we sleep where we sleep, and we eat where we eat because of the NAACP…”