[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 16 (Tuesday, February 10, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING JOHN HUNTER GRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 10, 2004

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize 
Hunter Gray, a civil rights activist involved in the southern movement 
from the summer of 1961 to the summer of 1967.
  Hunter Gray, formerly John Salter, took the name of his Native 
American family some years ago and has been one of the Nation's most 
ardent advocates on behalf of Native rights. He was recently diagnosed 
with a severe and possibly fatal case of lupus that has also brought on 
a bad case of diabetes.
  John Salter was very active with the Jackson, Mississippi, NAACP and 
boycott in 1964. He was in the trenches with Medgar Evers and others 
during the civil rights movement from 1961 until Evers was assassinated 
and Gray and his wife and young son left the State. He also wrote a 
book titled, Jackson, Mississippi: An American Chronicle of Struggle 
and Schism (1979).
  Hunter Gray's commitment to civil rights has continued throughout the 
years. He and his wife Eldri, who has been a partner in the struggle 
for equality for 40 years, now live in Idaho. He has been hospitalized 
several times over the past few months , and his medication and 
hospitalization costs are very expensive. Many of his friends are 
organizing a testimonial and fund-raiser to let him know how grateful 
we are to him for his many sacrifices and contributions to civil 
rights, Native American and labor causes.
  For further information on Hunter Gray, I refer you to his widely 
read Web site at www.hunterbear.org. Hunter Gray has left a formative 
mark on the shape of Mississippi history. I thank him for his service 
to civil rights and to Mississippi. I ask that you keep him in your 
prayers and meditations.

                          ____________________