[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 46 (Thursday, April 17, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E698]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        SALUTE TO CLEVE McDOWELL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 1997

  Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the late Dr. Cleve 
McDowell who was born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Fudge McDowell on August 
6, 1941, in Drew, MS. Dr. McDowell departed this life on Thursday, 
March 13, 1997, leaving a proud legacy as a mentor, civil rights 
leader, and community activist.
  He received his early education in the Drew (MS) Public School system 
where he served as class president, editor of the school newspaper, 
captain of the debating team, and a member of several varsity sports 
teams.
  Dr. McDowell was an honor graduate of Jackson State University in 
1963, and had done further study on the graduate level during the 
1970's. While at Jackson State University, he worked as a student 
assistant under the last Medgar Evers (1962-63). He became the first 
African-American student to attend a white graduate school in 
Mississippi by enrolling in the University of Mississippi Law School 
with the aid of a Federal Court Order and the U.S. Army troops in June 
1963. He later enrolled in Texas Southern University Law School in 
Houston, TX, where he became president of the Student Bar Association 
and received several merit awards. He later worked on the field staff 
for the Mississippi State Conference (1964). Dr. McDowell left the 
Mississippi Field Staff to join the staff of the Chicago Branch of the 
NAACP and served on committees of the National Youth Work Committee of 
the NAACP, where he worked in employment, voter education registration, 
fund raising, and community development.
  He served as staff consultant to the Cook County Department of Public 
Aid (Chicago). He also served as personnel director-program analyst for 
Coahoma Opportunities, Inc., of Clarksdale, MS. In April 1969, McDowell 
joined the Mississippi Head Start Training Coordinating Council as its 
executive director. In October 1973, he joined the Governor's Office of 
Human Resources and OEO as the Head Start coordinator for the State of 
Mississippi. In May 1974, McDowell became associate director of the 
Mississippi Bar Legal Services Program where he served until he started 
his private practice of law in Drew, MS, in 1975. In addition, he 
served as managing attorney for the North Mississippi Rural Legal 
Services in Clarksdale, MS, from 1977 to 1979; served as a member of 
the Mississippi State Penitentiary Board of Directors (1971-76); and 
was elected to serve as Tunica County Judge (1978-82).
  He was a member of the Mississippi State Bar Association, the 
American Bar Association, and the Magnolia Bar Association. He was 
admitted to practice in the Northern and Southern United States 
District Courts, Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and the Eleventh 
Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
  Dr. McDowell was an active member of Epsilon Xi Lambda Chapter of 
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and was worshipful master of Drew Lodge No. 
6 of the Most Worshipful Stringer Masonic Grand Lodge (Prince Hall) of 
Mississippi. He was also a member of the Knights Templars Royal Arch, a 
32d Degree, and Shriner Masonic units.
  Dr. McDowell was the senior pastor of the Greater Holly Grove 
Missionary Baptist Church of Drew, MS, and chairman of the Sunflower 
County, Democratic Party. He also served as the public defender for 
Sunflower County, MS. He was also a former member of the board of 
alderman and past vice-mayor of the city of Drew, MS.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me and the civil rights community in 
saluting Dr. Cleve McDowell for his outstanding contributions to this 
Nation.

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