[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 45 (Thursday, April 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        TRIBUTE TO JASPER NEELY

                                 ______


                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 21, 1994

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor a 
native of Grenada County, MS, who has been an agent of change in the 
State for a quarter of a century. Mr. Neely has spent much of his life 
challenging the injustices that exist in the public and private sector.
  Mr. Neely was a major plaintiff in a lawsuit against Liberty 
Supermarket of Grenada, MS, in 1970. Mr. Neely's courageous action lead 
to the hiring of African-Americans in non-traditional positions.
  Mr. Neely was also a successful plaintiff in a class action suit 
against the city of Grenada and all of its departments and agencies, in 
1974 for discriminatory hiring, training, and promotion policies. For 
the first time in the city's history, African-Americans were hired in 
positions other than those of laborers.
  In 1975, Mr. Neely was a plaintiff in a lawsuit challenging the 
apportionment of city district lines. This notable lawsuit resulted in 
the election of two African-American councilmen.
  Mr. Neely represented Ward 2 on the city council from 1976 through 
1990. While serving in this position, Mr. Neely worked with local, 
State, and Federal agencies to address issues that affected the social 
and economic development of the city of Grenada. From 1977 to 1980 Mr. 
Neely represented Mississippi on President Carter's Minority Affairs 
Council.
  Mr. Neely's commitment to change is further reflected in his 22 years 
of service as president of the Grenada NAACP; his tenure as president 
of the Grenada Concerned Citizens Committee; his active participation 
in the State and National Democratic Party and through the Masonic 
Lodge.
  Mr. Neely has received an impressive list of prestigious awards and 
accolades including the Harriet Tubman Award, National Council of Negro 
Women Appreciation Award, and the North Mississippi Rural Legal 
Services Award, for his continuous fight to end discrimination.

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