IV 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. RES. 901 
Recognizing November 14, 2009, as the 49th anniversary of the first day 
of integrated schools in New Orleans, Louisiana. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
NOVEMBER 6, 2009 
Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin (for herself, Mr. KIND, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. CAO, and 
Mr. MELANCON) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Com-
mittee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by 
the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall with-
in the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
RESOLUTION 
Recognizing November 14, 2009, as the 49th anniversary 
of the first day of integrated schools in New Orleans, 
Louisiana. 
Whereas, in 1954, the Supreme Court ruled that segregated 
schools violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th 
amendment to the Constitution; 
Whereas Judge J. Skelly Wright, of the United States Dis-
trict Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, ordered 
the Orleans Parish School Board to develop a school de-
segregation plan in 1956 and, after years of delay, in 
1960, ordered the Orleans Parish School Board to carry 
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out a plan designed by the United States District Court 
for the Eastern District of Louisiana; 
Whereas 6 years after the Brown v. Board of Education (347 
U.S. 483) decision, on November 14, 1960, Ruby 
Bridges, at the age of 6, became the first African-Amer-
ican student to attend the all-white William Frantz Ele-
mentary School in New Orleans, Louisiana; 
Whereas Ruby Bridges had the courage to attend the William 
Frantz Elementary School every day during the 1960–61 
school year despite ongoing riots and protests in New Or-
leans, having to be escorted to school by Federal mar-
shals, and having no other students in her classroom; 
Whereas Ruby Bridges was also supported by her white first- 
grade school teacher, Ms. Barbara Henry, whose lessons 
remain with Ruby Bridges to this day; 
Whereas Ms. Henry faced retaliation for teaching Ruby 
Bridges by not being invited to come back and teach at 
William Frantz School following the 1960–61 school 
year; 
Whereas, in 1995, Ruby Bridges contributed to ‘‘The Story 
of Ruby Bridges’’, a book for children, and, in 1999, 
wrote ‘‘Through My Eyes’’ to help educate children and 
people of all ages about her experiences and the impor-
tance of tolerance; 
Whereas Ruby Bridges established the Ruby Bridges Foun-
dation in 1999 to help eliminate racism and improve soci-
ety by educating students about the experiences of Ruby 
Bridges, discuss ongoing efforts to promote diversity, and 
provide lessons students can take back to their own com-
munities; and 
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Whereas, in 2002, the Ruby Bridges Foundation, along with 
the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Museum for Tolerance in 
Los Angeles, launched The Ruby’s Bridges Project, a 
program that brought together students from diverse 
backgrounds to develop relationship-building skills and 
promote an appreciation of one another: Now, therefore, 
be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) recognizes the 49th anniversary of the first 
day of integrated schools in New Orleans, Louisiana; 
(2) remembers Judge J. Skelly Wright for his 
advocacy, support, and lifelong commitment to pro-
moting civil rights, fairness, and equality; 
(3) commends Ruby Bridges for her bravery 
and courage 49 years ago, and for her lifetime com-
mitment to raising awareness of diversity through 
improved educational opportunities for all children; 
(4) supports policies and efforts to— 
(A) close the achievement gap in the 
schools of our Nation; 
(B) improve the high school graduation 
rate for all students; 
(C) strengthen the ability of all students to 
attend and complete post-secondary education; 
and 
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(D) promote the benefits of school integra-
tion throughout the educational careers of stu-
dents; and 
(5) congratulates all the individuals who have 
dedicated their lives to the field of education and to 
promoting equal opportunities for all students re-
gardless of the backgrounds of the students. 
Æ 
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