Speech #860139456

I hope that the geihtlemans argument and presentation today in connection with the civil rights bill is persuasive to the point that members of his party will join others and sign the petition on the Speakers desk. I call the gentlemans attention to the fact that the Declaration of Independence. which was signed in 1776 starts out with a preamble that all men are created equal. that they are endowed. by their Creator. with certain inalienable rights. that among these are life. liberty. and the pursuit of happiness. In a similar way. amendment 14 of the Constitution provides: All persons born or naturalized In the United States. and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States. nor shall any State deprive any person of life. liberty. or property. without due process of law. nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws. I would say that the civil rights bill reaffirms the provisions of the Declaration of Independence and the provisions of amendment 4 to the Constitution.