Thoughts on MLK Day

It was June 9, 1964. The landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act was still stalled on the floor of the Senate. The bill was introduced by President John F. Kennedy in 1963 and passed the House of Representatives on Feb. 10, 1964. The bill was then sent to the Senate for a up or down vote, but was met with hostility from the Southern senators, who stalled the bill's passage up to June 10. The Senate needed 67 votes to pass the bill and they knew they were close to getting it. But there were still some senators who were on the fence. The main leaders of the bill, Senator Hubert Humphrey of (D-MN) and Senator Everett Dirksen (R-IL) had to make their final push. On June 9, 1964 Sen. Dirksen rose to the floor and delivered a stirring speech in favor of the bill. He quoted the great novelist Victor Hugo: "Stronger than all the armies is an idea whose time has come." And the time surely had come. The next morning, Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV) concluded is 14hr speech against the bill and the roll call vote was taken. The bill was passed with 71 votes. The legislation forever changed American history by outlawing discrimination in employment, education, housing, etc...
This account shows that sometimes the real heroes are the ones who aren't in the spotlight. It is often said that the civil rights bill would never have passed if it wasn't for Sen. Dirksen. Roy Wilkins of the NAACP wrote Sen. Dirksen after the vote and said, "The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People sends its thanks to you for your vote for cloture and for your final speech before the vote...Your leadership of the Republican Party in the Senate at this turning point will become a significant part of the history of this century." It's sad though that Sen. Dirksen never gets his face in the history books or any acknowledgment for the his great deeds on the Senate floor in the pivotal hour. He, along with other brave Republicans and Democrats, bravely stood up to the evils of discrimination and racism and helped to secure a generation of free blacks in America.
Also, on this day in which our country honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, don't forget another man who led the early fight to end racism and discrimination in our country: President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Again, very little credit is given to him, but Ike used his power as Commander and Chief to implement the executive order to integrate the armed forces signed by Harry Truman. Ike also pushed for passage of the important 1957 Civil Rights Act. He also famously sent in 1,000 National Guard soldiers to Little Rock to make sure integration was enforced. He was also the first president since Reconstruction to meet personally with Civil Rights leaders, including MLK, in the White House. Ike should be remembered as a man who played a key role in the early battle for racial equality and justice.
Too often men like these are forgotten. We are only drawn to the big names and big personalities, when in fact it's the people behind the scenes who make it happen. So on this day, let's remember the great achievements and work done by the late Dr. King. But let's also remember the work done behind the scenes by the brave patriots, conservative and liberal, who never will get the credit they deserve. God bless you all.