[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 89 (Tuesday, June 17, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1281]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1281]]
COMMENDING MEDGAR WILEY EVERS AND MYRLIE EVERS-WILLIAMS FOR THEIR LIVES 
                          AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 17, 2003

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to applaud Congressman 
Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) for introducing H. Con. Res. 220, a 
resolution to honor Medgar Evers and his wife Myrlie Evers-Williams for 
their accomplishments in fighting for equality in civil rights for 
African-Americans.
  While many history books rightfully acknowledge the Rev. Martin 
Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and Rosa Parks as central leaders of the 
Civil Rights Movement, Evers was also an initial pioneer in the fight 
for racial justice.
  Born July 2, 1925 near Decatur, Mississippi, Evers received a 
Bachelor of Arts degree from Alcorn Agricultural and Mechanical 
College. In response to the 1954 landmark Supreme Court case, Brown, 
which declared segregation in educational institutions 
unconstitutional, Evers applied for admission to the formerly 
segregated University of Mississippi Law School. Despite the ruling, 
and despite being qualified, he was denied admission. Upon this denial, 
Evers began working for the National Association for the Advancement of 
Colored People (NAACP) as the Mississippi Field Secretary in order to 
effect change. This position included registering people to vote in 
Mississippi, organizing students at nearby colleges, coordinating and 
leading protest marches, and challenging bus segregation. Despite his 
professional successes with the NAACP, Evers was never able to pursue 
an advanced degree before his death.
  Like many other civil rights activists of the time, brutality was 
often brought upon Evers. In fact, he was arrested, beaten, and jailed 
for his unswerving efforts to combat prejudice and discrimination. 
Tragically, on June 12, 1963, Evers was violently shot and killed in 
front of his home. Since his death, his widow, Myrlie Evers-Williams 
continues to speak out against discrimination and injustice. In 1995, 
Myrlie Evers-Williams was elected as the first woman chair of the 
NAACP.
  So, Mr. Speaker it is only fitting that we gather to remember Medgar 
Evers for his contribution as a remarkable civil rights leader and for 
making the ultimate sacrifice in fighting for civil rights--his life.
  This resolution speaks volumes about the state of civil rights in 
this nation forty years after Evers' assassination. I support this 
resolution wholeheartedly and urge all of my colleagues to support H. 
Con. Res. 220.

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