[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 140 (Thursday, October 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2000-E2001]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JAMES W. MEREDITH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 9, 1997

  Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to pay tribute to 
Mr. James W. Meredith, the first African-American to enroll in a 
segregated university in Mississippi.
  October 1, 1962 marked the date when James Meredith became the first 
African-American to enroll at the University of Mississippi. Mr. 
Meredith was born in Koskiusko, MS, on June 25, 1933. After living 
serveral years in Mississippi, James moved to live with his uncle in 
St. Petersburg, FL, where he enrolled in high school and finished. He 
enlisted

[[Page E2001]]

into the U.S. Air Force at age 18, where he served for 9 years.
  After graduating from the University of Mississippi, James Meredith 
went to study abroad in Africa where he wrote his first of numerous 
books entitled ``Three Years in Mississippi.'' After his stay in 
Africa, James Meredith returned to Mississippi to start an organization 
called March Against Fear in order to empower and encourage African-
Americans to register to vote. This organization went on to register 
300,000 people in Mississippi.
  In addition to his efforts to register African-Americans to vote, 
James Meredith started the James Meredith Library Clubs of America. 
This organization was created to lure African-American males into the 
library and encourage them to read.
  Mr. Speaker, because of these many accomplishments, I would like to 
take time out to honor Mr. James Meredith for his vision and courage.

                          ____________________