[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 4, 1994)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov] [Congressional Record: May 4, 1994] From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO MYRLIE EVERS ______ HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON of mississippi in the house of representatives Wednesday, May 4, 1994 Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to recognize Mrs. Myrlie Evers for her many contributions to her community and the Nation. Mrs. Evers, the widow of slain civil rights leader, Medgar Evers, is a native of Vicksburg, MS. She attended Alcorn State University in Lorman, MS, and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College in Claremont, CA. Mrs. Evers in an author, public speaker, and former public official. She authored a book entitled ``For Us the Living,'' which described her life with Medgar Evers and their experiences as active participants in the civil rights movement. In the State of California, she has served as a commissioner of public works for Los Angeles County. Mrs. Evers has also served as a member of the National Board of the NAACP. She is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn, NY and a member of the Board of Trustees of Tougaloo College in Tougaloo, MS. Since her husband's untimely death in 1963, Mrs. Evers along with her three children have worked diligently to bring her husband's assassin to justice. In 1964, the State of Mississippi prosecuted Medgar Evers' alleged assassin in two different trials. Each trial resulted in a mistrial because jurors failed to reach a verdict. However, Mrs. Evers never gave up her dream of securing justice in this case. In 1989, a local Jackson, MS, newspaper published excerpts from the files of a defunct state agency that was created in the 1950's to maintain segregation. The paper reported that this agency had helped screen potential jurors in the 1964 cases against Medgar Evers' alleged assassin. This information led to a review of the murder case by local prosecutors and new witnesses came forward with new evidence regarding events surrounding the assassination. She was a major influence in encouraging the prosecutors to reopen this case. During this period, prosecutors also discovered that there was no transcript of the original trial available. However, Mrs. Evers had a copy of the original trial transcript and presented the transcript to the district attorney's office of Hinds County, MS. A grand jury was convened and Byron de la Beckwith, the alleged assassin, was indicted and sent to jail without bond. Beckwith subsequently appealed the State's refusal to allow him to go free on bond and alleged that a third trial would constitute double jeopardy as well as a denial of his right to a speedy trial. The Mississippi Supreme Court denied his appeal and a third trial commenced which resulted in his conviction in 1994 for the murder of Medgar Evers. He was sentenced to life in prison. Over the last 30 years, Mrs. Evers has demonstrated a strong commitment to civil and human rights for all Americans. She recently donated the Evers family home in Jackson, MS, to Tougaloo College and the home will be converted into a museum to preserve the history of civil rights movement in Mississippi. In her role as a public speaker, Mrs. Evers continues to serve as a positive role model to young people. Mrs. Evers is to be commended for her outstanding contributions to our Nation. ____________________