Barack Obama Statement on House Passage of Bill to Assist United Negro College Fund

Legislation creates commemorative coin celebrating the progress of the Civil Rights Act

April 2, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) today applauded the House of Representatives' passage of legislation to create a commemorative coin to recognize the landmark strides of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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Senator Barack Obama: Photo by Daniella Zalcman (CC)

This legislation will also help support the scholarship program of the United Negro College Fund through coin proceeds. Obama originally introduced this legislation (S.1437) with Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in May 2007. Representative John Lewis (D-GA) is the original sponsor of this legislation (H.R. 2040).

"Ensuring that all Americans have equal access to quality education is an important legacy of the civil rights movement. I am proud to support this bill, which will not only serve as a symbol of the progress our nation made by passing the Civil Rights Act, but will also lift up African American students through its contributions to the United Negro College Fund. I look forward to moving this legislation forward in the Senate."

Source: Senator Barack Obama