President Eisenhower today greeted the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith’s dinner honoring Congress for civil rights legislation, and said “it is fitting that the Congress be cited for this legislation by B’nai B’rith, a pioneer in the field of human rights.
Terming the Civil Rights Act of 1957 “a significant event in the life of the nation, ” the President noted the dignity of debate on the measure and the “minimum of deliberate obstructionism.” He said “prejudice and emotionalism were largly discarded in favor of frankness and logic.”
Mr. Eisenhower told the ADL’s Congressional tribute dinner he was hopeful that “the new commission on civil rights will be effective in placing pertinent facts before the American people and in providing an example of moderation and understanding in these difficult subjects. But for America to be strong in body and spirit, all of us–each citizen, each private group and civil authority–have a responsibility to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
An estimated 200 Senators and Representatives participated at the affair marking presentation of “America’s Democratic Legacy Award” to the 85th Congress for passage of the first civil rights legislation in 82 years. Senators William F. Knowland, California Republican, and Hubert H. Humphrey, Minnesota Democrat, accepted the award for the Senate. Acceptance for the House was by Representatives Kenneth B. Keating, New York Republican, and Emanuel Celler, New York Democrat. Each of the four played an important role in bringing about passage of the 1957 law.
President Philip Klutznick of B’nai B’rith said that for the United States towin the race into “outer space” without” liberating ourselves of the waste of discrimination and prejudice is to win a hollow prize. To defend freedom but not to have it, is a fraudulent gesture; to reach the moon through science, but to keep people enslaved is a fool’s errand which fools no one but ourselves.”
ADL national chairman Henry E. Schultz commended Congress for passing the first piece of civil rights legislation in 82 years, half of the nation’s constitutional existence. He pointed out that after the Civil War the rights recognized and guaranteed in the Constitution underwent “a gradual process of erosion.”
Sen. Humphrey called for passage of additional civil rights legislation with extensive provisions for persuasion, inducement, and community compliance. He urged that the second as well as first session of the 85th Congress make history by progress on civil rights.
Rep. Keating suggested efforts to reinstate a section eliminated from last year’s measure. He said there were now enough votes to carry this further extension of which would extend civil rights and that the President would sign it. Rep. Celler, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said 18 civil rights bills were now pending before his committee. As chairman, he pledged to hold hearings and carry forward all possible work to advance consideration of these bills.
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