This resolution commemorates the 159th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1866 , a pivotal piece of legislation passed on April 9, 1866, after a congressional override of President Andrew Johnson's veto. It highlights the Act's historical significance as the first federal law to define citizenship and affirm that all citizens are equally protected by the law, regardless of race, directly combating efforts to restrict the rights of freed Black citizens. The resolution recognizes the Act's profound impact on establishing equal protection for all Americans and its foundational role in shaping the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments . Ultimately, the House of Representatives emphasizes the importance of the rule of law and advocates for supporting, protecting, and defending the rights of all Americans.