(Washington, DC)- Yesterday, Congressman Al Green introduced H.Con.Res.335, a resolution honoring the 97th anniversary of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).  By the end of the day, the resolution had garnered the support of 44 additional original cosponsors.

“Throughout its history, the NAACP has changed the face of America.  As someone who has worked as part of the NAACP, serving as a branch president for approximately ten years, I have seen firsthand how instrumental the NAACP is in securing the rights of all Americans,” said Green.

Since the NAACP was founded on February 12, 1909, it has been committed to achieving its goals through non-violence.  Its accomplishments include its prominence in lobbying for the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957, 1960, and 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, laws which ensured government protection for legal victories. 

“The NAACP filed and won the lawsuits Brown v. Board of Education, Barrows v. Jackson, and Shelley v. Kraemer, which served to help end segregation and discrimination in schools and housing.  If the truth be told, we live where we live, we eat where we eat, and we sleep where we sleep because of the NAACP,” said Green.

Also, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the NAACP launched the Disaster Relief Fund, which has raised almost $2 million to aid the survivors in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Florida, and Alabama.  The cities involved incurred massive destruction and this fund will help serve the victims in their recovery process.

“The work of the NAACP continues today.  In its 98th year, it continues to fight for social justice and to ensure that racial hatred and discrimination are eradicated from our society,” commented Green.

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