Arne Duncan, Obama's Pick for Secretary of Education, on Dare Not Walk Alone

We'd like to be among the first to congratulate Arne Duncan for being President-elect Obama's pick for Secretary of Education. It is another example of the President-elect choosing to surround himself with the brightest and best.

Mr Duncan he was an early supporter of Dare Not Walk Alone. Here's what he has to say about the film:

"An important tool for showing the bravery of those who struggled for equality during the civil rights movement. But it goes far beyond past history and exposes issues that we face everyday in the continued struggle for equality, especially when it comes to the health and education of all our children."

At the time he wrote that, Mr. Duncan was CEO of Chicago Public Schools. We wish him every success in his new role as a key player in the Obama administration.

And for the record here's what some other prominent public servants have said about Dare Not Walk Alone:

"This moving film, which I was honored to be a part of, will serve as an important reminder to audiences that even though we have made advances in the civil rights arena since the 1960s, we still have a long way to go."

That was US Congresswoman Corrine Brown. Here's Florida State Senator Tony Hill:

"The documentary was so moving that, as chairman of the Black Caucus of the State of Florida, I have filed a bill for the 2007 legislative session in the House and the Senate to have all records cleared for anyone who was arrested because of segregated laws. That is how compelling the film was to me."