[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 21 (Tuesday, March 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTION OF BOBBY LYNN CAINE--FIRST AFRICAN 
          AMERICAN TO GRADUATE FROM AN INTEGRATED HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 2005

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, as Black History Month comes to a close, it 
gives me great pleasure to honor one of America's heroes, Mr. Bobby 
Lynn Caine. An unassuming resident of Nashville, Tennessee, Mr. Caine 
was the first African American to graduate from a publicly funded, 
integrated high school in the South. His story is one of bravery amidst 
intimidation and hatred, as he persevered to get the education that he 
and other African Americans so rightfully deserved.
  In 1956, the Supreme Court issued its final decree on the historic 
Brown v. Board of Education, which ended racial segregation in the 
South. Among those directly affected was a 16-year-old African-American 
student--Bobby Lynn Caine.
  On August 27, 1956, Bobby and eleven other black students made 
history by desegregating Clinton High School in Tennessee--the first 
public high school in the South to desegregate. Being the only black 
student eligible that year to graduate, Bobby knew that segregationists 
aimed to stop him from completing his education. Faced with an angry 
mob of protesters and fearing for his life, Bobby and the other black 
students known as the ``Clinton Twelve''--walked through picket lines 
that grew larger each day. A newspaper account said that ``a milling 
mob of approximately 1,000 gathered at the school.'' Bobby and the 
others suffered verbal and physical abuse from the angry mobs gathered 
at Clinton High School. Nevertheless, with the protection of the State 
troopers and the National Guard, Bobby and the other black students 
continued their daily walk through the picket lines and protesters with 
renewed determination.
  Bobby eventually graduated from Clinton High School on May 17, 1957, 
and went on to earn a bachelor's degree in social work from the 
Tennessee State University. He also completed course work toward a 
master's degree. Bobby served his country in the U.S. Army and later 
enlisted in the Army reserve, from which he retired as Captain after 21 
years of service. He now resides in Nashville with his family.
  Because of his courage, Bobby helped make it possible for children 
today of all races and ethnic backgrounds to attend school together and 
to learn in a safe and peaceful environment. In honor of Black History 
Month and on behalf of the Fifth Congressional District of Tennessee, I 
ask you to join me in honoring Bobby Lynn Caine of Nashville, who was a 
pioneer in the fight to desegregate the South.

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