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IV
116TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
H. RES. 1080
Urging the Secretary of the Interior to approve the designation of Hemming
Park in Jacksonville, Florida, as part of the National Park Service’s
African American Civil Rights Network.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AUGUST 11, 2020
Mr. LAWSON of Florida (for himself, Ms. NORTON, Ms. SHALALA, Ms.
CLARKE of New York, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi, Mr.
KENNEDY, Mr. FOSTER, Mr. RASKIN, Ms. FUDGE, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr.
CARSON of Indiana, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. JOHNSON of Texas, Mr.
MEEKS, Mrs. DEMINGS, Mr. SOTO, Ms. MOORE, Mr. CRIST, Mr. KILDEE,
Ms. PINGREE, Mr. DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. NADLER, Mr. VELA,
Mr. PAYNE, Ms. BASS, and Ms. CASTOR of Florida) submitted the fol-
lowing resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Natural Re-
sources
RESOLUTION
Urging the Secretary of the Interior to approve the designa-
tion of Hemming Park in Jacksonville, Florida, as part
of the National Park Service’s African American Civil
Rights Network.
Whereas August 27, 1960, was the largest civil rights dem-
onstration in Jacksonville, Florida, history;
Whereas several brave activists—many teenagers—hosted a
sit-in at a Jacksonville Whites-only lunch counter, where
they endured verbal and physical abuse from White cus-
tomers;
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•HRES 1080 IH
Whereas after weeks of peaceful lunch counter protests, a vio-
lent backlash occurred;
Whereas Jacksonville NAACP President Rutledge Pearson,
Jacksonville Youth Council NAACP member Rodney
Hurst, and other community activists fought for social
injustice by demonstrating at Hemming Park;
Whereas rioters planted and passed out ax handles and began
brutally beating the demonstrators on what is now known
as Ax Handle Saturday;
Whereas it was reported that authorities stood idly by, leav-
ing citizens and the peaceful protestors comprised of
young students defenseless in the face of the violent mob;
Whereas the activists confronted racist laws and discrimina-
tory practices, and risked their lives and reputations at
Hemming Park, to dismantle Jim Crow policies;
Whereas there are only three survivors still alive, Spencer
Meeks, Rodney Hurst, and Marjorie Meeks Brown; and
Whereas this year is the 60-year anniversary of Ax Handle
Saturday: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
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(1) expresses support for the designation of
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Hemming Park as part of the National Park Serv-
3
ice’s African American Civil Rights Network in
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Jacksonville, Florida; and
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(2) recognizes that—
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(A) Hemming Park stood at the center of
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the 1960s race riots in Jacksonville, Florida,
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where ax handles were used to beat African
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•HRES 1080 IH
Americans who were attempting to desegregate
1
lunch counters; and
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(B) designating Hemming Park as part of
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the National Park Service’s African American
4
Civil Rights Network will mark the day of the
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Ax Handle Saturday attack as a reminder of
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what happened and honor those who stood up
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for justice.
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Æ
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