Rep. Veasey Reflects on the 50th Anniversary of JFK Assassination
Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) issued the following statement on the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy:
"Today, as we pause to mark 50 years since President John F. Kennedy's tragic assassination, we are reminded that there is still much to accomplish to fulfill his legacy of public service, cultural education and the fight toward achieving racial and gender equality."
"President John F. Kennedy defied a tumultuous era of racial and gender discrimination by promoting forward thinking policies for the sake of progress. Kennedy defined the civil rights crisis as moral, as well as constitutional and legal. After his death, his civil rights legacy served as a catalyst for historic social advancements. Yet, it seems as though we are still plagued by the same issues he fought to combat."
"Though not passed before President Kennedy's assassination in 1963, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were left in the hands of his Vice President, Texan Lyndon B. Johnson. LBJ vowed to see Kennedy's civil rights bills passed through to law as a way to honor his predecessor's legacy of advocating for justice, racial equality, and the right to vote. The recent decision by the Supreme Court to overturn the very heart of the Voting Rights Act now leaves our nation vulnerable to laws, similar to those in the 1950's and '60s, that make the voting difficult for many Americans."
"Sadly, Texas leads the nation in the passing of laws that make suffrage in our state far too challenging for too many. I will continue to fight these unjust statutes in Texas and in any other state that compromises our American values. President Kennedy helped to pave the way for equality and justice. Now, it is our job as Members of Congress to continue his work."
"As we commemorate President Kennedy's life and legacy, I call upon my colleagues to put partisanship aside and to work together to ensure that all Americans are granted full equality regardless of gender, race, sexuality, or color."