Transcripts For CSPAN3 Little Rock Central High 60th Anniver

Transcripts For CSPAN3 Little Rock Central High 60th Anniversary Of Integration 20171012

Integration. Well start at a ceremony held at the school to mark the anniversary last month. Well hear it from former president bill clinton, Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson and members of the little rock nine. This runs about two hours. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our distinguished guests for todays commemorative program. Bruce d. Moore. Steering committee. [ applause ] nancy russo, principal of Little Rock Central High School. [cheers and applause] michael poor, superintendent of the Little Rock School district. Dr. Henry lewis gates, professor and director of hutchens center for africanamerican research at harvard university. The honorable mark stodola, mayor of the city of little rock. Cameron shawly, National Park service. [ applause ] the honorable asa hutchinson, governor of arkansas. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the 42nd president of the United States, William Jefferson clinton. [ applause ] [cheers and applause] ladies and gentlemen, please give a special welcome to the little rock nine. Melba patillo hills. Elizabeth eckford. Earnest green. [cheers and applause] gloria rae carmark. C carlot carlotta wals lanier. Minnie jean brown trickey. Thelma mothershed ware. And join us in remembering the late Jefferson Thomas. [ applause ] ladies and gentlemen, the little rock nine. [cheers and applause] please welcome to the podium our emcee for today, an educator and Community Leader and the first africanamerican to attend Little Rock Central High School for tenth, 11th and 12th grades before graduating in 1962, dr. Cybill jord cybill jordan hampton. [ applause ] please be seated. Thank you. Good morning. Welcome to this historic day. Thank you to each of you who are here today. Some have traveled from down the block. And others have come from around the country and overseas. As i look out into this crowd, i see many familiar faces. Many longtime friends. I also see many new faces. No matter how far you traveled to be here or how many people in this room you know, please know we are honored to have you here. Without you here in this audience, the event would not be complete. You are a key component of this commemoration ceremony. Now please rise for the presentation of colors by the arkansas 31st air force junior rotc from Little Rock Central High School. This will be followed by the pledge of allegiance. This pledge will be led by the student body president s of each of Little Rocks School districts five high schools. Aaron farmer of Little Rock Central High School, Shayla Williams of j. A. Fair high school, Mohammed Malik of hall high school. Zaer love. After the pledge, pamela smith, director of communications for the Little Rock School district will sing the national anthem. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of america and to the republic for which it stands one nation under god indivisible with liberty and justice for all. O say, can you see by the dawns early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilights last gleaming . Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight oer the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming . And the rockets red glare the bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there oh, say, does that starspangled banner yet wave oer the land of the free and the home of the brave . [ applause ] forward, march. Our opening prayer will be given by dr. Laverne of bullock cme church. Good morning. Good morning. I stand here first on behalf of the ua little rock and members of Bullock Temple Christian Methodist Church who enjoy a rich one schoolone church partnership. To the remaining little rock nine i stand in faith too, the first 25 to desegregated five junior high schools. Im one of those. Thank you for blazing the trail. Let us bow before the throne of grace. God of our weary years, god of our silent tears, god who has brought us this far on the way. Keep us forever in the path bepray. Father, as we approach you today, we rejoice and say thank you. We remember how far you have brought us. Thank you, lord, for allowing this Courageous Group of former members, students, known forever as the little rock nine to willingly put on their armor as they fought in justice. We thank you for allowing their actions and those of others around this state and country to ultimately topple many of the laws that prevented equal access to books, equipment and schools that were not outdated or substandard. Thank you, also, father, for allowing them to be the forerunners of change and eradicators of jim crow laws that held our foreparents. Now we thank you for allowing this Group Present today to shine your clear, penetrating light on situations that continue to need enhancement. You know, lord, that our Public Schools still need improvement on many levels. Allows, father to remain diligent in pursuing the cause for every student of every race, creed, and color with the opportunity to receive a Quality Public School education. Help us remember the past for the purpose of building a better, stronger, brighter and more successful future together for every child. A equip our families, faith communities, organizations and public academic institutions with the resources and willingness to Work Together to help every child succeed. We thank you. And we praise you. In jesus name, amen. I amen. You may be seated. This is a room filled with dignitaries. We have current and former elected officials from federal, state and local government. We have heads of state agencies, Higher Education institutions and churches, as well as civil rights leaders. Also in the audience is a delegation from our sister city from new castle upon thyme in the united kingdom. In the interest of time we are not going to recognize every person by name but to each and every one of you and all those gathered today, welcome. Thank you for being here. I want to take this time to remember one who is not here. On september 5th, 2010, Jefferson Thomas passed away. We are honored to have his widow, mary, here with us it today. As a tribute to jeff we have an empty chair on the stage, draped in a ribbon of centrals colors of old gold and black. Please join me in a moment of silence for Jefferson Thomass memory. Thomass memory. Thank you. As we move into the comments portion of our program. It is my distinct pleasure to bring forward two individuals who served as student body president s of little rock central high. Both also served a decade ago as members of the 50th anniversary Steering Committee. She now works for the Clinton Foundation in new york city, and he is an attorney and banker who is a former member of the Arkansas House of representatives. Joy secubin and darren williams. Student body president in 1985 86. Lets welcome them. [ applause ] 60 years ago today, the scene was much different in this auditorium and the hallways of this school. Yes, there are Police Officers and media and people milling about on its campus, but as we now know, the tone and tenor of the day was one of hostility, not hospitality. It was a day of anxiety, anger, not appreciation and applause. And elected officials were staying far away from campus, even if their presence was still felt. On behalf of the fellow student body president s over the years, darren and i are here to officially welcome everyone to this school, our belovedal alm mater where six decades ago, obstruction was the word of the day, and now we celebrate a school where openness is the rule. This year, little rock central high turns 90 years old. Over the years, tens of thousands of students have walked through these hallowed halls. Each student with a story to tell. As i look at the singers gathered on stage, i think of my own two children who are recent graduates of central. I am honored to be a part of the story of this school. Its fitting that we are in the auditorium with the little rock nine. Rosie was a rising star not only in this state but in the nation. The experiences he had in then governor clintons office and later at Yale University were feasible because of his time here at central, and the opportunities he had at central were made possible by the courageous efforts of the little rock nine. Today, over 27 languages are spoken at the homes of central students. Regardless of our race or ethnicity, we all owe a debt of gratitude to central. And as a birthday girl reminds us today, we pay that debt through service. [ applause ] so welcome to Little Rock Central High School. Hail to the old gold. Hail to the black. Woo [ applause ] thank you joy, and darren. Though president eisenhower had tried to broker an agreement with governor faubus. Through the efforts of congressman brooks hayes, it was not until little rock mayor woodrow mann pleaded for federal intervention that the president sent in the 101st airborne. I now present to you to bring greetings, the current mayor of little rock, mark stodola. [ applause ] good morning, everyone. Thank you. You know, today as a city, as americans, we pause to reflect on the events of september 25th, 1957 as one of the first struggles of the Civil Rights Movement. We are here commemorating the60th anniversary of the opening of these High School Doors to nine Young High School students who endured incredible adversity to integrate central high and the pro found impact that it made and continues to make on the issues of equality and opportunity, not just on this city and the state, not just on this country, but indeed on the world. We are here today to commemorate this extraordinary struggle for equality and opportunity and ultimate triumph in the history of our nation and the history of our city. Indeed, when earnest green marched as a senior to receive his diploma in Quigley Stadium, the world noticed, and drfrmt Martin Luther king was there seated in the stands to witness the occasion. Today we acknowledge this painful moment in our past, and we reflect on the progress that we have made. As was mentioned, we are sitting in the roosevelt at the same time thompson university, named after a student body president and yale scholar that was taken from us way too soon but who accomplished so much in his short life, a young man who was give and opportunity, and did he ever excel. The legacy of the little rock nine demands that we rededicate ourselves to the progress that remains unfinished. I want to thank you, the little rock nine, for continuing to come back to little rock and to commemorate the significant day. However, it does not go unnoticed that most of you left little rock after your high school days. And pursued opportunities elsewhere, achieving meaningful and distinguished careers. Indeed realizing the importance of finding that opportunity wherever it existed. Much of our work here in little rock centers on the idea of opportunity. How do we ensure that all our people have access to opportunity to pursue their dreams . Recently, i saw the film Hidden Figures based on the book about the female africanamericans at nasa. And it was seven years after the decision of brown versus board of education the Supreme Court decision. And yet in 1961 virginia, the resistance to integration was rampant. However, three brilliant africanamerican women at nassau, kathryn brown, Dorothy Vaughn and mary jackson were given the opportunity to excel. And in so doing, serving at brains behind one of the greatest operations in history. The successful launch of astronaut john glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored our nations confidence in our severs and galvanized the world. That story like the integration Success Stories of the little rock nine exemplifies what people are capable of when given an opportunity. I cannot help of the possibilities that could have transpired had the little rock nine had the opportunity to accomplish the magnificent work theyve achieved in the last 60 years were it right here in little rock. How much are we missing out on . By not presenting opportunities . For our people to thrive right here at home . The stakes are incredibly high. And every time a child has run into this world, those continue to rise. How do we harness the potential of every child and person in our city . Accomplishing that gold is incredibly complicated and it requires the involvement of every part of our community. It cannot be done by government alone. It requires a Stable Family structure, no matter how big or what that family looks like. Early childhood education is key and graduation is paramount. Health and proper nutrition are essential for learning and so is the physical environment. Our neighborhoods, our streets, our parks, work skills and a job. Making more than a minimum wage plays a huge role in a persons ability to maximize opportunity. As i reflect on the progress that we have made here as a city, i recognize that while we have made great strides, we is still have much work to do. At city hall, these goals are what keep us going in the areas where we can help. It is why through the recovery act, 8. 6 million was injected into the neighborhoods south of interstate 630. Over 100 Housing Units were created in these very neighborhoods around central high. And in the course of two weeks they transformed the homes of citizens on fixed incomes in some of the most challenged neighborhoods. Thats why this friday, thanks to president clintons Americorps Program we will have young people cleaning up the hot spots in our city prone to crime. Thats why we are giving people a second chance. But i will be the first to say there is so much more for us to do. But as much as anything, accomplishing this goal requires being given an opportunity. Because we have seen that given an opportunity, our people can overcome almost any challenge. So my challenge to all of us, to our city today, is to use the examples set by the little rock nine and share the opportunities you have been given. There is much work to do. Do not pull up the ladder behind you. Mentor a child. Encourage education and success. Help a young adult getting a job. And getting into the workforce. Give them that first opportunity to learn responsibility and selfrespect. Use the opportunities that you have been given and that degree, high school or college, that youve earned, to give back and to help the next generation of leaders in our city. The central high crisis of 1957 is part of our history. But it does not have to be our legacy. Our legacy is the story of how far we have come in the resolve to continue the Unfinished Business of opening the doors to opportunity. Indeed, the legacy of the little rock nine requires it. So let us take this reflective day as a springboard to dedicating ourselves to this mission mission. Seize the day. Seize the opportunity. Our future depends on it. Thank you very much. [ applause ] through the efforts of u. S. Senators, daile bumpers and tim hutchison, little rock high was declared a National Historic site. That was signed into law as we know by president bill clinton. Central high school is the only National Park site that is also a functioning high school. Representing the National Park Service Today is mr. Cameron shawly, the midwest regional director of the National Park service. Welcome. [ applause ] morning. Great to be in a room filled with so many generations of inspiring people. And before i get started, a special shoutout to nancy russo. She is such an incredible part of the staff. Thanks to the city and the School District for having us here. On behalf of the entire park service, including robin wright and her tremendous team, we are so proud to be a part of this event with you, commemorating this important anniversary. Not just as an organization thats committed to telling the history of the site in perpetuity, but as your partner and as your fellow citizens. The National Park service proudly manages a system of parks in this country that represent really a remarkable collection of places that enshrine our nations enduring principles and they remind us constantly of the tremendous sacrifices that americans like the little rock nine have made on behalf of this country. And it really is our privilege as your steward to protect some of americas most incredible places and to tell some of americas most important historical events. Its a hop or thnor that we tak very seriously. Little Rock Central High School is all of those things. Its an incredible place with incredible people, and its a very important part of our nations history. As all of us know, there are parts of that history that are not easy to talk about. Stories that are very painful. And difficult to

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