Civil Rights Act of 1964 | Debate & Filibuster—Oral History

Charles D. Ferris: Staff Director, Senate Democratic Policy Committee (1963-1977)

As staff director for the Democratic Policy Committee in 1964, Charles Ferris was heavily involved in the bipartisan strategy sessions that took place throughout the lengthy debate over the Civil Right Act of 1964.

Featured Excerpts:

"Around the clock sessions penalize the wrong people."

"…that coverage…kept the legislation on the public’s mind. It undermined any notion that this was an exercise in futility."

"The judgment was that the Civil Rights bill’s time had come…."

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