Former Ohio Congressman Charles W. Whalen and his journalist wife Barbara have chronicled the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act in their history The Longest Debate. It is full of the legislative minutia that earmarks passage of difficult, important, bipartisan legislation to be made into law. Details of the initial beginnings, during the Kennedy White House and carried on after his death by Lyndon B. Johnson and Robert F. Kennedy, are given. Other political luminaries who shared in the task were Hubert H. Humphrey, Martin Luther King, Jacob K. Javits, Everett M. Dirksen, Lawrence F. O'Brien, and Richard B. Russell. During this time Civil Rights demonstrations and protests began in places like Birmingham, AL as black Americans showed their impatience and frustration. Counter to the fight for equality was the candidacy of George Wallace running in opposition to passage of such legislation.
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Surprisingly, the fight over the Civil Rights Act was often championed by Republican lawmakers, preferring to have Democrats take center stage in the battle, in fear of alienating southern, white constituents. Rep. William M. McCulloch of Ohio was prominent in the effort. The bill stalled in 1963 due to politicking as unusual demands were placed upon the legislation. Rep. Everett M. Dirksen placed a daunting 40 amendments upon the bill at one point. Religious prayer groups were enlisted to bring a public outcry for passage. Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish leaders met to discuss strategy. Many entered into political lobbying for the very first time over the issue of Civil Rights. Passage in 1964 was much more difficult than one would believe for a piece of legislation guaranteeing equality under law for all persons.
The review of this Book prepared by David Fletcher
