Recognizing the desegregation efforts at Girard College in Philadelphia, and the leaders involved in African-American integration and civil rights expansion.

Bill Number

H.Res. 1071

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-02-23: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-02-24T09:18:26Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This resolution recognizes the historical desegregation efforts at Girard College in Philadelphia and honors the leaders who advanced African-American integration and civil rights expansion.

Key Provisions

• Acknowledges Philadelphia's diverse history and contributions of African-Americans to national efforts for justice, equality, and diversity.
• Highlights milestones documented in Temple University's exhibit, including legal challenges to Girard College's admission policies.
• Details the founding of Girard College in 1848 by Stephen Girard for "poor white male orphans" and subsequent rejections of African-American applicants in 1954.
• Notes legal battles led by Raymond Pace Alexander, citing the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, which reached the U.S. Supreme Court in 1957.
• Describes the shift to private status in 1957, protests in 1965 led by the NAACP and Cecil B. Moore (with involvement from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.), and the 1968 court ruling and admission of African-American students.
• Resolves that the House of Representatives: (1) recognizes the desegregation efforts and supporting leaders; (2) supports ongoing efforts to highlight African-American history; and (3) affirms the need to protect diversity at colleges and universities nationwide.

Significant Changes to Existing Law This is a non-binding resolution and introduces no changes to existing law.

Potential Impacts

• May raise public awareness of civil rights history in Northern cities without direct effects on government agencies, citizens, or international relations.
• Could encourage educational institutions to emphasize similar historical milestones.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Girard College and its leadership.
• Philadelphia's African-American community and local civil rights organizations such as the NAACP.
• Historical figures including Raymond Pace Alexander, Cecil B. Moore, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• Broader national civil rights advocates and educational institutions.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• References the U.S. Supreme Court's 1957 unanimous ruling that found Girard College's racial restrictions unconstitutional under the Brown v. Board of Education precedent.
• Notes the college's later transition to private status, which allowed continued discriminatory practices until the 1968 Third Circuit decision.
• Emphasizes civil rights expansion through peaceful protests and legal action in a Northern context, without altering constitutional standards.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]

Cosponsors (8)

Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]

Recent Actions

• 2026-02-23: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-02-23: Submitted in House
• 2026-02-23: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

• Recognizing the desegregation efforts at Girard College in Philadelphia, and the leaders involved in African-American integration and civil rights expansion. — issued 2026-02-23 — PDF (3 pages)