[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 109 (Tuesday, August 9, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: August 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    TRIBUTE TO WALTER JAMES PHILLIPS

                                 ______


                            HON. GENE TAYLOR

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 9, 1994

  Mr. TAYLOR of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, on Sunday, July 31, 1994, an 
outstanding citizen, State lawmaker, veteran, family man and attorney 
passed away to be with our heavenly Father.
  Walter James Phillips served the great State of Mississippi with all 
of his being and this great country with utmost respect and honor. 
Throughout all of his adult life he was a leader, unafraid to let his 
convictions be known or to champion a cause for the underdog.
  As a young World War 2 foot-soldier, Squirrel, as he was 
affectionately known, fought gallantly to defeat Hitler's army in 
Europe, having received numerous honors, including two purple hearts.
  Upon his victorious return home after the war, he did what most GI's 
did. He packed up his bags and went back to school getting a law degree 
at the University of Mississippi. His keen insight into the law and 
sincere desire to serve the public good eventually took him to the 
State capital in Jackson. As a State representative, he left a legacy 
of good works and good deeds. My memory of him is of a man who was true 
to his word and fair-minded.
  For two decades he dutifully oversaw the State's business, unafraid 
to catch flak for doing what was right, or just. And while most great 
men and women are judged by their successes, it is sometimes 
appropriate to judge them equally by their failures.
  During the 1950's, Mississippi lawmakers did all they could to 
stifle, stonewall, and sandbag equal education initiatives. Even 
thought Brown versus the Board of Education had been issued by the 
Supreme Court, a majority of State lawmakers blocked anyone's attempt 
to integrate Mississippi schools.
  However, in 1953, Walter was one of only a handful of State lawmakers 
who pioneered an equal education bill, called the ``Minimum Education 
Act.'' The bill was passed in 1953, and funded 2 years later. Little 
did they know at the time that it would become the cornerstone of an 
integrated educational system in Mississippi.
  In the 1960's, instead of following Federal law and abolishing the 
State's dual public school system, State lawmakers threatened to shut 
every public school down in the State before opening the doors to 
integration. However, Walter rallied State lawmakers and won the tug-
of-war to keep public schools open.
  But later that decade, when State lawmakers pushed to abolish 
compulsory education in the State, Walter faced a battle he could not 
possibly win. Against unsurmountable pressure, Walter and a few of his 
colleagues cast the only votes to continue compulsory education 
throughout the State of Mississippi. Unfortunately, State lawmakers 
crushed their opposition and abolished compulsory education. The 
legislature's mistake still haunts Mississippi today, even though 
compulsory education was reinstated more than decade ago.
  During Walter's funeral, his friends called him courageous, 
progressive and brilliant. Back in the 1950's and 1960's, many people 
called him foolish.
  For you see, he was one of only a handful of State lawmakers who 
fought to keep public schools open at all cost, and open to everyone. 
And as most of us in this body are aware, it took more than 15 shameful 
years and Government intervention before Walter saw the fruits of his 
labor.
  After retiring as a State lawmaker, he focused all his energies on 
his family, successful law firm, and as a municipal judge for the city 
of Waveland. His wisdom and strength was an invaluable resource to not 
only my community of Hancock County, but for the entire State for 
nearly half a century.
  I assure you, he will be sorely missed.

                          ____________________