As part of Freedom Summer , Smith and Frank Soracco , another Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee worker , traveled the United States to raise funds for travel and expenses for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party and his friend and colleague , Fannie Lou Hamer to attend the 1964 Democratic National Convention . With the help of Vice President Hubert Humphrey and party leader Walter Mondale , Johnson engineered a compromise in which the Democratic National Committee offered the Mississippi Freedom Party two at-large seats , allowing them to watch the floor proceedings but not take part . The Mississippi Freedom Party refused this compromise , which permitted the undemocratic , white-only , regulars to keep their seats and denied votes to the Mississippi Freedom Party . While they were unsuccessful at being seated , their presence and Hamer 's testimony led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965
1964 Democratic National Convention
1964 Democratic National Convention
Frank Smith (D.C. Council)