Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1959-02-06
Douglas Speech In
Introducing Civil
Rights Measure
Continued from Page ~

INV AhEttibfFs AFtfft tafi Dc
no question but that Congress-
has the specific power 70 I'm.
piemsnt the ifth Amendment.
Nov the United states su-
preme Court in the Brown and
other cases has ruled that aegre-
CATION on the basis Of race in the
public schools is ultimately a viola
iion Of the guarantee OF the equal
protection Of the laws ard hence
is unconstitutional WINE the
methods and timing are made
somewhat flexible, localities and
states are expected 10 move To-
ward degeneration with all de.
iiberate speed
Finally, Il Is appropriate 70 call
attention 10 Article vi Of the Con
stitution which specifically states
that. This Constitution shall
be the supreme Law Of the Land.
and the Judges in every State
shall be bound thereby. anything
IN the Constitution or Laws Of any
state 20 the contrary notwith-
atandlng' a similar obligation is
placed upon all Members OF Con.
gresa and State legislatures and
on nll executive and Judicial Of
ncers on both the State and Fed
erai levels
In order 20 implement the 18th
Amendment and 10 meet the grave
crisis Of our day In reasonable,
moderate, oonciIiatory yet firm
fashion. We are sponsoring this
bill
n provides for technical fin
ancial and administrative assist.
ance through the Department Of
Health Education. and Welfare In
achool deaegregation cases II also
authorizes injtmctive relief In suits
brought by the Attorney General
against denials Of equal protection
~ the laws in school and other sit
uations.
~ thus seeks 70 marshal our
resources Of technical knowledge.
financial assistance, legal repre-
scntation and haaio good win 10
meet the complex problems Of de-
aggregation in positive, rather
than a punitive. manner
u aims 10 place the Congress
and the executive branches Of our
government alongside the Supreme
Court IN carrying out the promises
81 the lith Amendment. rccogniz-
ing that we cannot expect the
courts 20 be tho sole protectors 81
those rights
In short, as have said on an
Mum ~ cooperation and mutual
assistance between Federal and
local governments IN ending den.
tails 81 equal protection o. tho
laws
In abort, "a | have said on an
other occasion, II Ia a bin 20 put
our moral house IN order FOR the
benefit of citizens now denied their
rights and for the benefit " the
whole nation In rs difficult posi-
ton a. a leader of the FRYE world
Earlier History 81 Measure
This Ia the same bill. Mr. Prrd
dent, which we prepared and In.
PRODUCED year ago "a 8 1857
Sixteen Senators joined as CO.
sponsors 40 that time and ~ Mem
hers 81 the House OF Representa-,
tiycs introduced companion meas
urrH
Despite the urging q the chair.
man % the senate Constitutional
Rights subcommittee, the senior
Senator from Missouri. Mr. HEM
inga, a bipartisan majority Of that
committee decided that hearings
should not be held on the bill in
The senate in 1898 IN the House
The eminent Chairman Of the Jtd.
ieIary Committee representative
Cclier commenced hearings late in
June hat they had 20 be discou-
tinurd IN Tho pressure Of business
AZ the end og the session before a
fun record could be made
In recent weeks, I have appeal
ed 60 the Attorney General ard the
Secretary - Health. Etucation.
ard Welfare 20 give consideration
60 the provisions Of this bin In
formulating the ADMINISTRATION
civil rights recommendation
have received from each Depart.
meat friendly assurances " such
consideration
We have also been enccUraS cd
The widespread interest rN.
,esssd IN the hin by persons who
. loug experienced In the prob
y ~ education and community
stions One such fuli-icpgth
Sient was prepared for sub
10 the House Judiciary
II Zee last year by an shle
- n leader. Mr. Marion A.
w % I1nvillc Falls. North
ca ard ash unanimous con
ser President. that Mr.
wrs aslysis ~ printed IN the
RecoF Al tho conclusion - my
remarks
The Urgent Mods
While tho Congress did noe act
on these proposals last year Mr.
President the tragic historv az