i point to people like edna griffin, john bibbs, and len nard hudson. they entered a drugstore on a hot summer day in des moines, iowa, at a segregated lunch counter. when the manager refused to serve them because the store did not -- quote -- "serve colors" miss griffin refused to leave. and outraged iowans responded with outrage. and they won. edna griffin won. the lunch counters were desegregated and who -- who -- but a handful knows of edna griffin or john bib intvment or len nard hudson? it is only because of the extraordinary acts of bravery by ordinary americans like these in all corns of this country that the mightiest walls of oppression have been torn down. as this nation formally apologizes and acknowledges slavery and jim crow, we must also recognize that this nation owes these individuals most known toll their friends and their family, an enormous debt of gratitude. 's awe make this formal apology, moreover, we must acknowledge and celebrate the deep lasting contributions that slaves, former slaves, and their decendants have made to this co