III 

110TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 301 

Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of Little Rock Central 

High School, one of the most significant events in the American civil 

rights movement. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

AUGUST 3, 2007 

Mrs. LINCOLN (for herself and Mr. PRYOR) submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the desegregation of 

Little Rock Central High School, one of the most significant events in the American civil rights movement. 

Whereas the landmark 1954 Supreme Court decision in 

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka established that 

racial segregation in public schools violated the Constitution of the United States; 

Whereas, in September 1957, 9 African-American students 

(Minnijean Brown, Elizabeth Eckford, Ernest Green, 

Thelma Mothershed, Melba Pattillo, Gloria Ray, Terrence 

Roberts, Jefferson Thomas, and Carlotta Walls), known 

as the ‘‘Little Rock Nine’’, became the first AfricanAmerican students at Little Rock Central High School; 


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•SRES 301 IS 

Whereas the Little Rock Nine displayed tremendous strength, 

determination, and courage despite enduring verbal and 

physical abuse; 

Whereas Little Rock Central High School was listed in the 

National Register of Historic Places on August 19, 1977, 

and was designated a National Historic Landmark on 

May 20, 1982; 

Whereas, on November 6, 1998, Congress established the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site in 

the State of Arkansas (Public Law 105–356), which is 

administered in partnership with the National Park Service, the Little Rock Public School System, the City of 

Little Rock, and other entities; 

Whereas, in 2007, Little Rock Central High School and the 

Little Rock Central High School Integration 50th Anniversary Commission will host events to commemorate the 

50th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine entering Little 

Rock Central High School; 

Whereas these events will include the opening of a new visitors’ center and museum, which will feature exhibits on 

the Little Rock Nine and the road to desegregation; and 

Whereas Little Rock Central High School continues to be regarded as one of the best public high schools in the 

United States, with students scoring above the national 

average on the ACT, PSAT, and PLAN tests and receiving an average of $3,000,000 in academic scholarships 

each year: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes the extraordinary bravery and 

3 courage of the Little Rock Nine, who helped expand 


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•SRES 301 IS 

1 opportunity and equality in public education in Ar2 kansas and throughout the United States by becom3 ing the first African-American students at Little 

4 Rock Central High School; 

5 (2) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 

6 desegregation of Little Rock Central High School, 

7 one of the most significant events in the American 

8 civil rights movement; 

9 (3) encourages all people of the United States 

10 to reflect on the importance of this event; and 

11 (4) acknowledges that continued efforts and re12 sources should be directed to enable all children to 

13 achieve equal opportunity in education in the United 

14 States. 

Æ 


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