Quote – Strom Thurmond (D-SC)

These reports, of course, deal only with the surface exposure of Communist influence in the Negro movement. The actual extent and degree, while obviously substantial, remain unknown, for Congress has chosen to pretend that there is no such problem, even while methodically and relentlessly seeking to satisfy the demands of the very militant groups in which the Communist influence exists. Mr. President, the Nation, and even the Congress, once its hypnotic trance has passed, will find that in this bill are the seeds of destruction of a political system which has served its people better than has any other ever devised.

Thurmond would switch his party affiliation to Republican three months later due to Democratic support for the Civil Rights Act. Senate Discussion of 1964 Civil Rights Act, taken from the Congressional Record (pgs 14310-14319).

Thursday, June 18, 1964
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