Group Promotes Civil Rights Legislation
Diocesan Press Service. November 8, 1963 [XV-5]
Fifty-three Episcopal clergymen and laymen from 16 states gathered in Washington the week of Oct. 26 to promote civil rights legislation.
The effort was in response to the resolution passed by the House of Bishops in Toronto last August that Congress pass "adequate legislation" to guarantee civil rights in America. The group arrived in Washington under the auspices of the Division of Christian Citizenship, Department of Christian Social Relations of National Council.
The Rev. Arthur Walmsley, executive secretary of the division, reminded participants at an orientation meeting that their main purpose was to call on as many Congressmen and Senators as possible to encourage them to pass a civil rights bill "at the earliest possible moment."
Mr. Walmsley said he regretted that the situation in the country is such that legislation is necessary. "From the standpoint of Christian conscience, it is scandalous that it is necessary to require legislation to give part of the people what all should have," he said. He added that the race issue is "fundamentally a moral and religious issue."
"Congress and the Administration are not taking the crisis in civil rights in the United States seriously enough," he warned.
The current civil rights picture in the entire country was sketched by Julian Dugas representing the department of Christian Social Relations in the Washington diocese. He said that there was "a real ferment" among the Negro community, especially among the younger generation.
He emphasized that Negroes are merely seeking what they see others have, nothing more. Negroes' main complaint, he said, is in the area of voting rights, public accommodation and educational opportunities.
Also addressing the groups at St. Mark's Episcopal Church here was James Hamilton, associate director of the Washington office of the National Council of Churches. Mr. Hamilton, an attorney, outlined the provisions of the current civil rights bill and the various changes that are possible under the separate titles of the measure.
Participants attended a St. Mark's communion service. At the breakfast which followed, Bishop Creighton of Washington greeted the delegation.
For the remainder of their time in Washington the clergymen and laymen called on representatives and senators. States represented in the delegation were California, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.