Press Releases

Washington, D.C. - Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) delivered the following opening statement, as prepared, during a Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties hearing on "Examining the History and Importance of 'Lift Every Voice and Sing':"

"The song 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' has been a beacon of hope to generations of Americans.  Its message, while rooted in and shaped by the experience of African Americans and their struggles against racial oppression, is universal, offering hope and faith in the future in the face of darkness.  I appreciate the opportunity today to examine the origins and historical context in which 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' was written, as well as its continuing importance to American culture and values.

"I am also pleased that we will be able to hear from our colleague, the distinguished House Majority Whip, Congressman James Clyburn, about his legislation, H.R. 301, which would designate 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' as our country’s national hymn.

"The song, which was first sung by school children in 1900 to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, has persisted in influence over the past 120 years.

"The brothers James Weldon Johnson and J. Rosamond Johnson wrote 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' at the turn of the 20th Century.  This was a period in which the promises of racial equality made by the Nation to African Americans during Reconstruction were betrayed.   Previous advances towards equality were being dismantled; segregation had been codified through Plessy v. Ferguson; and the Jim Crow reign of terror was gaining its foothold.  All the while, the Ku Klux Klan wreaked havoc against African Americans, initiating a campaign of racist terror, violence, and murder. 

"Through all this, African Americans continued to risk their lives for their own visions of what freedom could be in the aftermath of slavery.  Even in the face of horrific violence, they never ceased in their struggle for freedom.

"'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' is a song about transcending those difficulties and maintaining hope for the future.  To sing the song is not only to acknowledge the suffering of the past, but also to look ahead to a brighter future.  It is a reminder that while the journey ahead may be arduous, obstacles are surmountable if we join together in the fight for equality. 

"Although 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' is a song that recognizes the history and progress of African Americans, its influence and appeal extends beyond the boundaries of race.  From its inception to today, 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' has and continues to unify individuals of all cultures.  It is a song of uplift and solidarity. It speaks to the universal human condition of struggle and triumph, and it connects us to a common purpose: equality for all.  

"The song’s sermonic quality, coupled with its powerful lyrics of hope and perseverance, has resonated at key gatherings such as presidential inaugurations of both political parties and at civil rights demonstrations.  It was endorsed by Booker T. Washington in 1905 and later adopted by the NAACP, becoming a rallying cry during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. 

"'Lift Every Voice and Sing' is a reminder of how far we have progressed as a country, while simultaneously calling upon us to continue our work towards a better future.  The song represents patriotism in the best possible sense. It commands us to be dedicated to our nation and to honor the sacrifices of the generations that came before us by continuing to work towards the full promise of freedom for all Americans.

"I want to thank Congressman Clyburn for bringing forth this bill and I also welcome all our witnesses.  I look forward to their testimony, and I yield back the balance of my time."