US HR1071

Girard College in Philadelphia was established in 1848 with a will provision admitting only "poor white male orphans," and in March 1954, 6 African-American boys were rejected based on this restriction.

The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled the racial ban unconstitutional on April 29, 1957, but the college converted to a private institution in October 1957 to continue discriminatory practices.

Cecil B. Moore, elected president of Philadelphia's NAACP chapter in December 1962, led protests for integration, with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking to demonstrators at the college in May 1965.

On March 4, 1968, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that 7 African-American students must be admitted, and Girard College voted to admit them on May 23, 1968.

The resolution recognizes the desegregation efforts, honors the civil rights leaders involved, and affirms the need to protect diversity and civil rights at colleges and universities nationwide.