Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington

Dallas, TX – (Wednesday, August 28, 2013) – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement on the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington:

“Today we reflect on the hundreds of thousands of people who have flocked to the Nation’s capital to demand jobs and freedom. The United States was at the height of the Civil Rights Movement during the 1960s, and African Americans were experiencing  extreme acts of violence, discrimination, and suppression. But with the passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act, many of us could finally see change on the horizon.

The U.S. has made commendable progress for racial equality, and while we take this time to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington, let us not become complacent. We have elected the first African American President, but despite popular belief, our struggle for racial equality is not over. The Supreme Court’s decision to strike down one of the most significant pieces of legislation for minorities essentially turned back the clock for millions of Americans. A number of states are enforcing discriminatory voter ID laws that place unnecessary burdens on millions of legitimate voters. We should all make it our ultimate mission  to ensure we remove all barriers that keep our nation from advancing the dream. We may not be fighting the most blatant and racially-charged occurrences of the 60s, but racism and oppression are still prevalent in our society. It is imperative that we recommit ourselves to advancing the dream and creating a nation where all Americans are afforded equal protection under the law.

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  U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a Ranking member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Kessler Park, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, South Dallas & South Oak Cliff; all of Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Ferris, Glenn Heights, South Grand Prairie, Oak Lawn, Ovilla, Uptown/Victory Park and West Dallas.