1961 US Commission on Civil Rights Report Book 2 - University of ...

Need for Federal protection
17. The Attorney General of the United States in the period 1959-61
diligently sought to forestall nullification of constitutional principles by
State actions; to prevent evasion of Federal court orders; and to provide
protection to Negro children assigned to formerly white schools. Nevertheless,
disorder accompanied desegregation in New Orleans and white
people supporting Federal law and order were not adequately protected
by the Federal Government. No member of the rioting crowds in New
Orleans was prosecuted for attempting by threats or force to prevent,
obstruct, impede or interfere with the performance of duties under the
Federal court order to desegregate the New Orleans schools. (See the
Civil Rights Act of 1960)
18. In New Orleans white pupils attempting to attend desegregated
schools and their parents were exposed to threats, loss of employment,
harassment and persecution. They received no direct aid from the
Federal Government and no protection was available to citizens groups
working to keep the public schools open even if desegregated. In such
situations Federal protection is needed to prevent private or official
harassment and reprisals.
Education of dependents of military personnel
19. Many dependents of military personnel assigned to duty in Southern
States have had to attend racially segregated public schools particularly
in Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina where there
are very few on-base schools.
20. No consistent overall policy as to the responsibility of the United
States for the education of the children of military personnel in a manner
consistent with constitutional principles appears to have been established
by the Executive branch. In a few places in the last 2 years agreement
was reached with local school authorities to admit such children to offbase
schools without regard to race; in many more places they still attend
racially segregated schools. In one instance Negro plaintiffs had to bring
suit in a Federal court to secure admission of their children to a school
located on a military base.
21. Congress has recognized that the Federal Government has a
particular responsibility to provide suitable education for the children
of military personnel on active duty. Racially segregated public schools
are in violation of the Constitution and, therefore, are unsuitable for the
education of children of military personnel.
Financial aid to public libraries
22. Some public libraries in the 17 Southern States that receive
Federal aid under the Library Services Act of 1956 serve whites but not
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