[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: February 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
HONORING THOMAS C. JERVAY
______
HON. CHARLIE ROSE
of north carolina
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, February 1, 1994
Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, I extend my deepest sympathy to the family and
loved ones of Thomas C. Jervay. The impact of Mr. Jervay's life-long
accomplishments are expressed most accurately in the following article
from the Wilmington Journal, a weekly African-American Newspaper, in my
district.
Jervay Leaves A Legacy
(By Rhonda M. Bellamy)
Thomas C. Jervay, Sr., owner, and editor emeritus of the
Wilmington Journal, was eulogized as ``a media man in the
best tradition'' during funeral services on Friday, December
31, 1993. He died Tuesday, December 28, at the age of 79.
For more than 50 years, Mr. Jervay stood at the helm of the
Wilmington Journal, providing a form for the black community
and serving as a catalyst for far reaching social, economic,
and political changes.
``Our newspaper has succeeded and prospered because we have
tried to be the servant of our people, and have tried to
fight for the human rights of all, especially blacks * * *.
My greatest aim and hope is to see blacks move forward
politically and economically. This is the bottom line, and if
this is not done, we are lost,'' he once said.
It was this deeply-rooted conviction that served as the
springboard for many a spirited editorial and equally
spirited participation in causes that espoused social reform.
Mr. Jervay was a 1932 graduate of Williston Industrial High
School, where he edited the Williston Echo and was the first
recipient of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company
Scholarship. The class of 1932 was the first class to
graduate in 11 years due to the Great Depression. He went on
to attend Hampton and Howard Universities, and received a
Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia State University. He
served on the newspaper staff at all three universities.
He returned to Wilmington to work as business manager and
editor of the Cape Fear Journal, founded in 1927 by his
father, Robert S. Jervay. In 1945, he renamed the paper the
Wilmington Journal.
Undaunted by the political climate or social dictates of
his day, Mr. Jervay ``without fear or favor'' openly decried
discrimination and initiated the dialogue needed to eradicate
it.
``We integrated the public library with one phone call, and
the city golf course by simply going out to play there one
day,'' he once said.
His strong community presence did not go unnoticed. He was
the first North Carolinian to receive the Kellogg Celebrity
Tribute Award for his lifelong community service activities
and support of the United Negro College Fund. He was a member
of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, the National Publishers
Association (of which he served as one of its youngest
presidents), Amalgamated Publishers Association, Inc., North
Carolina Black Publishers Association (where he was
considered ``Dean of the Black Pages''), NAACP (where he held
a life membership and two Golden Heritage memberships), Who's
Who in Black America, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.,
the Elks, the Prince Hall Masons, United Grand Order of
Salem, the Professional Society of Journalists, and Sigma
Delta Chi.
The impact of Mr. Jervay's lifetime commitment to
Wilmington, to North Carolina, and indeed to the nation were
very aptly described in two telegrams read at the funeral.
``On behalf of the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People, I extend to the family of Thomas Jervay
our deepest sympathy and expression of support. For decades,
Mr. Jervay was a leading voice for freedom and justice for
all people in our nation and throughout the world.
Personally, Mr. Jervay, as the editor of the renowned
Wilmington Journal newspaper, helped thousands of people
overcome the barriers of racial discrimination. In truth, Mr.
Jervay was one of my mentors, a man that I admired and a man
that encouraged me to provide leadership in the civil rights
movement during those difficult days of the Wilmington Ten.
Mr. Jervay stood tall and raised his voice consistently for
justice. The NAACP pays its highest salute to Thomas C.
Jervay, a great freedom fighter, public servant, and a strong
leader in whom we all will surely miss,'' wrote Ben Chavis,
executive director of the NAACP.
Those sentiments were echoed by U.S. Congresswoman Eva
Clayton.
``Mr. Thomas Jervay was a great pioneer and spokesman for
equality. At a time when it was unthinkable, he developed a
medium to voice the concerns and hopes of the average
citizen. His voice was clear, steady, and penetrated the
consciousness of many. Because of his convictions and
steadfast commitment for equality, many barriers were
eliminated . . . Members of the Congressional Black Caucus
also join me in conveying our sense of gratitude for his
services rendered to the community. He leaves a legacy for us
to build upon as we continue toward that great realization of
equality and justice for all,'' she wrote.
His survivors include; his wife, Willie E. Jervay; two
daughters, Mary Alice Thatch (John) of Raleigh, and Katherine
``Kitty'' Tate (Lacy) of Wilmington; six grandchildren, Robin
Thatch Allen, Shawn Thatch and Johanna Thatch of Raleigh,
Mona Jervay of Seattle, Washington, Lacy Jervay Tate and
Robert Jervay Tate of Wilmington; and seven great-
grandchildren.
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