Congresswoman Waters Marks 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43) released the following statement today marking the 50th anniversary of the signing of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964:

"Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon Johnson signed the historic Civil Rights Act of 1964 into law, outlawing discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender or national origin, including barring discrimination in all facilities open to the public, thereby ending the Jim Crow era in regions of the country. This 50th anniversary is a time to remember the debt all of us owe to the courageous leaders of the civil rights movement of the 1960s – many of whom were beaten and in some cases died in their fight for justice. Their struggles and efforts culminated in the enactment of the Civil Rights Act.

"Despite the significance of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the progress our country has made toward equality, there is much more work that needs to be done. There are still barriers that exist in education and housing. Disparities in health care remain, a significant wealth gap still persists, and the struggle for voting rights continues.

"In June 2013, in a 5-4 decision in Shelby County v. Holder, the Supreme Court severely weakened the Voting Rights Act. It is vital for Congress to pass legislation that once again strengthens the Voting Rights Act in order to fully ensure that every citizen has the right to vote.

"We must also work together to significantly expand economic and educational opportunity to all Americans – no matter what their race or ethnic origin. We have to ensure that ladders of opportunity are available to every American. By taking such steps as making college more affordable, investing in effective job training, and raising the minimum wage, we can do much more to expand opportunity so that everyone has a fair chance at the American Dream. These actions would be in the spirit of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and would continue to help our country to better live up to its creed that all individuals are created equal."

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