DAYTON, OHIO — Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) recently interviewed civil rights icon Dr. Jessie Gooding, who led a group of Dayton residents to participate in the historic March on Washington 61 years ago. At the end of their conversation, Congressman Turner presented Dr. Gooding with a proclamation celebrating his commitment to fighting for civil rights and against racism.
Key moments from the interview:
Congressman Mike Turner: What do you remember from that day?
Dr. Jessie Gooding: At the time, we decided to charter a coach to accommodate the Dayton crew...We got to Washington early the next morning, and when we got to Washington, I said this thing ain’t going to be nothing. But that was about 7:30 or 8:00. Boy, the buses started coming in by the hundreds. After that, over 2,000 people showed up...We were probably among the first to get there, but after a while, boy, the buses came from every direction.
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Congressman Turner: What was the crowd’s reaction to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech?
Dr. Gooding: Oh, it was a rouse! He set the crowd on fire...that was a great day. That changed America, really. That speech helped change America...After Dr. King, we were trying to change before, but he gave us more security to keep fighting. And that’s what we did.
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Congressman Turner: I understand that your high school is going to honor you for your leadership, your role in civil rights, and what you’ve done for the whole country. They have asked me to present a proclamation to you as your congressman, honoring you as you make this journey to the high school to get the award.
So, as part of the proclamation, we have put in it: Whereas Jessie Gooding is one of the original foot soldiers of the civil rights movement, alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and led a group from Dayton to the March on Washington, D.C. in 1963, he set out to right the wrongs he witnessed and experienced in his community by combating racism and discrimination in the military, law enforcement, housing, employment and education and leading the fight to desegregate Dayton public schools.
We are all in deep gratitude for you.