He Made Several Powerful Speeches For Civil Rights on The Floor of Congress
Rainey made three speeches on the floor of Congress in support of what was finally passed as the Civil Rights Act of 1875. In one he said:
“Why is it that colored members of Congress cannot enjoy the same immunities that are accorded to white members? Why cannot we stop at hotels here without meeting objection? Why cannot we go into restaurants without being insulted? We are here enacting laws for the country and casting votes upon important questions; we have been sent here by the suffrages of the people, and why cannot we enjoy the same benefits that are accorded to our white colleagues on this floor?”
