BySenators Lovick, Cleveland, Valdez, Rivers, Keiser, Van De Wege, Kuderer, Holy, Wellman, Nobles, Hasegawa, Trudeau, Mullet, Saldaña, Hunt, Shewmake, Pedersen, Robinson, Boehnke, Kauffman, Lovelett, Fortunato, Salomon, Wagoner, Billig, and C. Wilson

WHEREAS, The enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 stands as one of the most important legislative achievements in American history and a defining milestone of our nation's ongoing fight for racial justice and equity; and

WHEREAS, 2024 marks the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, today we commemorate this law which has transformed the fabric of our nation by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin, and facilitated the desegregation of schools and other public facilities; and

WHEREAS, The progress of civil rights and racial justice since the Act's passage has been a journey of resilience, inviting us to celebrate the successes and honor the hardships and sacrifices that have paved the way to a more just society; and

WHEREAS, Acknowledging the ongoing fight for civil rights allows us to honor the leaders and citizens whose sacrifice has created significant progress in the pursuit of justice, while recognizing that there is more work ahead on the road towards a more racially just United States of America; and

WHEREAS, Confronted with bigotry, fear, and hatred, the bravery of these champions for civil rights stirred our Nation's moral conscience; and

WHEREAS, The Civil Rights Act has demonstrated the profound ability of legislation to foster lasting change, paving the way for further laws that strengthened voting rights and established fair housing standards for all Americans; and

WHEREAS, Building on the remarkable achievements of figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Congressman John Lewis, Justice Thurgood Marshall, and Rosa Parks, the journey towards fully securing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for every individual continues, underscoring the necessity of ongoing efforts to achieve our ideals of equality and justice for all; and

WHEREAS, During the inauguration of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in September 2016, former President George W. Bush remarked, "A great nation does not hide its history. It faces its flaws and corrects them."; and

WHEREAS, The passage of the Civil Rights Act represented a turning point in the United States' history of racism and bigotry, and illuminated the path forward in our ongoing quest for justice and equality, highlighting the importance of vigilance, advocacy, and proactive legislative efforts to forge a society that reflects our highest ideals of fairness and inclusivity; and

WHEREAS, Civil rights are not assumed freedoms but require continued solidarity and participation in the democratic process, that with unwavering resolve and a collective aim, those devoted to their country can create change;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate, recognizing the transformative significance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, commit to celebrating its enduring legacy by urging all citizens of our state to stand firm in the fight against racism in all its forms and to work diligently towards crafting a society where every person is afforded equality, dignity, and the right to fair treatment under the law, thus advancing our collective journey toward a more just and inclusive union.