Maloney Honors Black History Month

Washington – On the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, Representative Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) released the following message commemorating Black History Month and the extraordinary accomplishments of African Americans.

Rep. Maloney also voiced support for the passage of a new Voting Rights Act after last year’s Supreme Court decision to invalidate key portions of the original Voting Rights Act. Below are his remarks and a link to the video:

Click here to watch video message. 

Here’s the transcript:

“Hello, I’m Representative Sean Patrick Maloney. This February, I hope you will join me in celebrating Black History Month and the extraordinary accomplishments and contributions African Americans have made to our country.

“This year is especially pertinent as it marks the 50th Anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, signed into law in 1965. One year after the historic Civil Rights Act, this landmark piece of legislation afforded millions of Americans the opportunity to vote and cast a ballot free from racial discrimination, intimidation and injustice. Although we’ve made historic progress over the last 50 years, I never thought that I would have to tell my two little girls that after Martin Luther King Jr., Selma, Montgomery, and the March on Washington that we would still have bridges to cross. That once again our brothers, and sisters and neighbors would have to fight for their basic right to vote.

“It was only last year that the Supreme Court decide to decades later to invalidate critical provisions of the Voting Rights Act - a shocking setback to the core principles of our very democracy. We can’t cannot pass up an opportunity to pass a new civil rights laws that protects all Americans – regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation or economic status. That’s why I couldn’t be more proud to announce that I was one of the very first to voice my support for the a modern Voting Rights Act ensuring that each and every American has the fundamental right to vote.

“As we honor Black History Month and celebrate the tremendous progress our country has made towards equal rights, we must always remember that our job here is not done finished. Together we must fight until every American has equal rights, equal access to the ballot, and the opportunity to achieve the American Dream. Thank you.”

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