[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 128 (Wednesday, September 23, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO ELIZA BRIGGS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 23, 1998

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Ms. Eliza 
Briggs of Summerton, South Carolina, who died at the age of 81 on 
September 15 of heart failure. Ms. Briggs and her late husband Harry 
Briggs were among the principle petitioners in the lawsuit Briggs v. 
Elliott, which became the first of the five lawsuits which became 
collectively Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas. Those cases 
began the process of desegregating our nation's public schools.
  Eliza Briggs' place in history has been often overlooked. She and her 
husband signed the lawsuit in 1949 that challenged fairness of 
Clarendon County's segregated school system. For decades following the 
lawsuit, the Briggs family suffered through stress and unrest due to 
their decision. The Briggses were fired from their jobs and forced to 
move to Florida to be freed of the community backlash. Later in life 
the Briggses returned to Clarendon county, and over time have were 
accorded the respect they deserved for their self-sacrifice in order to 
make South Carolina better.
  Ms. Briggs has been described by friends and family as a humble woman 
full of grace and charm. She was one of many unsung heroes during the 
Civil Rights Movement that should be celebrated and remembered for 
putting her country before herself. She was presented the Order of the 
Palmetto, the highest commendation a South Carolina citizen can 
receive.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you to join me today in honoring Eliza Briggs for 
her great work as a Civil rights Movement trailblazer. Her hard work 
should be remembered and celebrated by this House. Ms. Eliza Briggs 
will be sorely missed.

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