The GOP and Civil Rights

As we celebrate Martin Luther King Day today, let us not forget…

It was a Republican President, Abraham Lincoln, that signed the Emancipation Proclamation that freed the slaves on January 1, 1863.

It was the Republican Party that ensured passage of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments to the Constitution which abolished the practice of slavery, ensured equal rights protection, and ensured anti-discrimination laws.

It was the Republican Party that passed the first Civil Rights legislation in 1875.

It was Republicans in the 87th Congress that met between 1961 -1963 that drafted an extensive Civil Rights Bill.

It was Republican Congressional support of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that helped ensure its passage.

It was a Republican President, Richard Nixon, that desegregated southern schools, and first created affirmative action to help break the power of racist labor unions.

It was a Republican President, Ronald Reagan that signed the bill declaring Martin Luther King Day an official Federal Holiday.

It was a Republican President, George W. Bush that appointed Blacks to more high level cabinet positions than any other President in history during his term between 2001 – 2009.

It was the Republican Party that named Michael Steele, the first Black Chairman of a major party in 2009.