[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 83 (Thursday, June 14, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S6315]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING CLAY COUNTY LEGACY MEMORIAL AND FOUNTAIN

  Mrs. CARNAHAN. Mr. President, I would like to take this opportunity 
to honor the residents of Clay County, MO for their vision, harmony, 
and unity. At a time when some communities are engaged in divisive 
debates regarding our Nation's past, Clay County residents have chosen 
to dedicate a monument and water fountain on the county courthouse lawn 
honoring the unsung black heroes and heroines who survived slavery and 
helped make Clay County a successful and thriving community in the 
heartland.
  Tomorrow, Friday, June 15, the Clay County Commission and the Clay 
County African-American Legacy Consortium will dedicate the Legacy 
Memorial and Fountain honoring Clay County African-American pioneers 
and their contributions to this county, first in slavery, and then in 
freedom. The location of the memorial and fountain is especially 
significant since slaves were once sold from the courthouse steps and 
African-Americans were required to drink from separate water fountains 
in that very building.
  The monument will list over 150 Clay County African-Americans and 
their contributions to this community dating back to 1800. Included in 
the monument's listing are Vennie and Lulu Fielder. Mr. and Mrs. 
Fielder both became entrepreneurs, opening Fielder Hardware and Box 
Company in Kansas City, Missouri, and Lulu Fielder's Sandwich Shoppe. 
Mrs. Lulu Fielder is now the oldest living African-American native 
resident of Clay County at the young age of 102. Mrs. Fielder will take 
the first ceremonial drink from the water fountain at tomorrow's 
celebration. And with that drink, Lulu Fielder will epitomize the words 
inscribed on the monument, ``come, drink, all who thirst for freedom; 
the water fountain will no longer separate us as a people.''
  Congratulations to the Clay County Commission, the Clay County 
African-American Legacy Consortium, and all Clay County residents. 
Thank you for making me proud to be a Missourian.

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