[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1278-E1279]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING MEDGAR WILEY EVERS AND MYRLIE EVERS-WILLIAMS FOR THEIR LIVES 
                          AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. STEPHANIE TUBBS JONES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 16, 2003

  Mrs. JONES of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Medgar Wiley 
Evers and Myrlie Evers-Williams. These two great Americans fought 
tirelessly for equality and justice. It is because of efforts such as 
theirs that I can stand before you today as the first African-American 
woman to serve in Congress from the State of Ohio.

[[Page E1279]]

  They knew the importance of voting and worked to mobilize African-
Americans so that they would have the opportunity to exercise this 
right that so many had fought for. They organized civil rights rallies 
and boycotts of local businesses and schools to advocate for the 
underserved and under represented in this country.
  Though murdered in 1963, Medgar Evers' legacy lives on through his 
children and his widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams, who went on to establish 
the Women's Political Caucus and become the first woman chair of the 
NAACP Board of Directors.
  It is because of these reasons that I am so honored to stand here 
today in support of this resolution commending Medger Wiley Evers & 
Myrlie Evers-Williams. It is on their shoulders that I stand.

                          ____________________