I rise to pay tribute to a piece of a landmark civil rights legislation on the occasion of its 40th Anniversary: the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Before the passage of the Voting Rights Act. African Americans. Hispanics. Native Americans. and others were routinely prevented from voting. 51. Pt. 14 July 29. 2005 The various tactics used to impede and discourage people from registering to vote or turning out on election day ranged from literacy tests. poll taxes. and language barriers. to overt voter intimidation and harassment. On August 6. 1965. when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
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