IV 
116TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. RES. 1080 
Urging the Secretary of the Interior to approve the designation of Hemming 
Park in Jacksonville, Florida, as part of the National Park Service’s 
African American Civil Rights Network. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
AUGUST 11, 2020 
Mr. LAWSON of Florida (for himself, Ms. NORTON, Ms. SHALALA, Ms. 
CLARKE of New York, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr. 
KENNEDY, Mr. FOSTER, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. FUDGE, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. 
CARSON of Indiana, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. JOHNSON of Texas, Mr. 
MEEKS, Mrs. DEMINGS, Mr. SOTO, Ms. MOORE, Mr. CRIST, Mr. KILDEE, 
Ms. PINGREE, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. NADLER, Mr. VELA, 
Mr. PAYNE, Ms. BASS, and Ms. CASTOR of Florida) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources 
RESOLUTION 
Urging the Secretary of the Interior to approve the designa-
tion of Hemming Park in Jacksonville, Florida, as part 
of the National Park Service’s African American Civil 
Rights Network. 
Whereas August 27, 1960, was the largest civil rights dem-
onstration in Jacksonville, Florida, history; 
Whereas several brave activists—many teenagers—hosted a 
sit-in at a Jacksonville Whites-only lunch counter, where 
they endured verbal and physical abuse from White cus-
tomers; 
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Whereas after weeks of peaceful lunch counter protests, a vio-
lent backlash occurred; 
Whereas Jacksonville NAACP President Rutledge Pearson, 
Jacksonville Youth Council NAACP member Rodney 
Hurst, and other community activists fought for social 
injustice by demonstrating at Hemming Park; 
Whereas rioters planted and passed out ax handles and began 
brutally beating the demonstrators on what is now known 
as Ax Handle Saturday; 
Whereas it was reported that authorities stood idly by, leav-
ing citizens and the peaceful protestors comprised of 
young students defenseless in the face of the violent mob; 
Whereas the activists confronted racist laws and discrimina-
tory practices, and risked their lives and reputations at 
Hemming Park, to dismantle Jim Crow policies; 
Whereas there are only three survivors still alive, Spencer 
Meeks, Rodney Hurst, and Marjorie Meeks Brown; and 
Whereas this year is the 60-year anniversary of Ax Handle 
Saturday: Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) expresses support for the designation of 
Hemming Park as part of the National Park Serv-
ice’s African American Civil Rights Network in 
Jacksonville, Florida; and 
(2) recognizes that— 
(A) Hemming Park stood at the center of 
the 1960s race riots in Jacksonville, Florida, 
where ax handles were used to beat African 
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Americans who were attempting to desegregate 
lunch counters; and 
(B) designating Hemming Park as part of 
the National Park Service’s African American 
Civil Rights Network will mark the day of the 
Ax Handle Saturday attack as a reminder of 
what happened and honor those who stood up 
for justice. 
Æ 
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