[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 100 (Tuesday, July 15, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1429]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1429]]
                      TRIBUTE TO THE SPANN FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 15, 1997

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Spann 
family on the occasion of their family reunion to be held July 25-27, 
1997, in Columbia, SC.
  The Spann family began on May 16, 1844, with the birth of Jack Spann. 
Mr. Spann was born a slave in Middleton Township, Sumter County, and 
resided in Sumter County his entire life, both as a slave and a free 
man. Despite the condition into which he was born, Mr. Spann learned to 
read and to write, a feat denied to most slaves. Because of his 
literacy, he was able to memorize and readily quote scriptures from all 
books of the Bible. Due to his literacy and his faith in God, Jack rose 
to become an assistant clergyman at St. Luke African Methodist 
Episcopal Church. When not in the pulpit, Mr. Spann could be found on 
the family's farm as he provided for his family of 20 children. 
Although the children were born of two different mothers, the 
togetherness demonstrated by the Spann family was unmatched. To this 
day, the descendants continue to show that same bond.
  The Spann family has been a part of the African-American experience 
in South Carolina for many years, As the Spann family comes together 
this year in Columbia, all agree that they have been blessed as they 
are able to share this reunion with the last living child of Jack 
Spann, Mrs. Eliza Spann Missouri Pickett, the present matriarch of the 
Spann family. In addition, Mrs. Pickett's son, Clarence Missouri, was 
my college roommate and has been a close friend of mine for over 40 
years. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues in the House of 
Representatives join me in honoring this fine family as they celebrate 
their family reunion.

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