[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 19 (Wednesday, February 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E168-E169]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    TRIBUTE TO JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSAS, AFRICAN-AMERICAN TRAILBLAZERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DENNIS MOORE

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 15, 2006

  Mr. MOORE of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to lend my support and 
appreciation to the Johnson County, Kansas, chapter of the NAACP, whose 
Youth Council, along with the Johnson County Library, will be holding a 
program at the Mount Olive Baptist Church in Merriam, Kansas, on 
Saturday, February 18th, to honor and reflect upon Johnson County's 
African-American ``trailblazers.'' Specifically, this program will 
honor the following six individuals, families and organizations:


                            Julius McFarlin

  Julius McFarlin, born in Conway, Arkansas, was instrumental in 
organizing the chartering of the Branch of the NAACP in Johnson County. 
While waiting for the Branch to be officially chartered, McFarlin 
served as its President from 1972-1977. In September 1977 the Branch, 
named the Merriam, Kansas, NAACP, was chartered and Mr. McFarlin 
continue serving as its President until 1998. McFarlin is still active 
with the Branch and is a Life-Time Member.
  Not only is Mr. McFarlin a ``Trailblazer'' with his work with the 
NAACP, in 1973, McFarlin realized a need to become involved in the 
community and was elected to the Merriam City Council, Precinct One, 
Ward One--thus becoming the first African-American elected to a 
political office in Johnson County, Kansas. McFarlin served until 2000.
  Believing in giving back to the community in which he so faithfully 
served, McFarlin's community involvement includes managing baseball 
teams for youths; prior service on the Board of South Park Neighborhood 
Council; a current member of the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, in which he 
serves as the Chairman of the Trustee Board; and prior service on the 
Johnson County Mental Health Board; Public Works Board and City Finance 
Committee.
  Married to his bride of 60 years, the lovely Marzella (Wilson) 
McFarlin, Julius McFarlin is truly a Johnson County ``Trailblazer''.


                          Dr. Norge W. Jerome

  Dr. Norge W. Jerome, a Nutritional Anthropologist, International 
Health and Nutrition Scientist, and Women in Development Specialist, is 
currently Professor Emeritus of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, 
at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. Dr. Jerome has served 
as Senior Research Fellow at the Center for University Cooperation in 
Development, Bureau of Science and Technology, U.S. Agency for 
International Development (A.I.D.), Department of State, in Washington, 
D.C., and as Director of the Office of Nutrition at A.I.D. Dr. Jerome 
also served as Interim Associate Dean for Minority Affairs, at the 
University of Kansas School of Medicine, as well as having published 
widely, with 2 books and over 100 articles to her credit.
  Dr. Jerome was born and raised on the southern Caribbean island of 
Grenada and came to the United States to

[[Page E169]]

study at Howard University. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 
1973 and went on to earn a B.S. degree (Magna Cum Laude) from Howard 
University; her M.S. and PhD. degrees are from the University of 
Wisconsin, Madison.
  Dr. Jerome led a pioneering role in launching nutritional 
anthropology as a discipline within anthropology. Dr. Jerome has 
received numerous honors, tributes and awards and served on many 
national and international committees and panels concerned with women's 
health and development issues.
  For her many contributions, not only to this community, but 
worldwide, Dr. Jerome is being recognized as a Johnson County 
``Trailblazer''.


                           Mayor Carl Wilkes

  Carl Wilkes and his wife of 42 years, Wanda, have been residents of 
Merriam, Kansas, for 40 years. Carl has a 31-year career in public 
service for local and federal governments and currently serves as a 
Field Supervisor for the Housing Services Division of Johnson County's 
Human Services and Aging Department.
  Carl Wilkes was instrumental in the development and receipt of funds 
for the first transportation program for the elderly in Johnson County, 
``Dial-A-Ride''. Carl also established--in conjunction with United 
Community Services--the Multi-Service Center, served as its Executive 
Director and developed and secured funding for the City of Kansas City, 
Kansas, Section 8 Housing Program and served as its Director.
  Carl Wilkes has received numerous awards and recognition for his 
service, such as Certificates of Commendation; the Meritorious Public 
Service Award and the Distinguished Service Award, to name a few. 
Nevertheless, Carl Wilkes will always be remembered in Johnson County 
as the first African-American to be elected as Mayor of a local 
community. On April 23, 2001, Carl Wilkes was sworn in as the 10th 
Mayor of Merriam, Kansas. On recount, his election was determined by 
two votes. Carl Wilkes is currently serving his second term as Mayor of 
the City of Merriam, Kansas.

  Carl Wilkes is truly a ``Trailblazer'' and deserving of such 
recognition.


               mt. olive baptist church--merriam, kansas

  In 1922, the members of Shiloh Baptist and First Baptist in Merriam, 
Kansas, combined their two churches to form Mount Olive Baptist Church.
  Mt. Olive members were, and still are, active in church, community 
and political affairs. During the 1940s Mt. Olive played an important 
role in helping the parents who were involved in the seminal 1949 
decision involving school desegregation--Webb vs. Merriam Board of 
Education. Mt. Olive, during this litigation, which lasted for 
approximately two years, opened up its doors for school to be set up 
and receive instruction. The support of Mt. Olive members helped them 
to achieve this wonderful victory.
  It was also during the late 1940s and early 1950s that the Mt. Olive 
Baptist Church, allowed the NAACP to utilize its basement for its 
meetings and continue to be a voice in the community for civil rights 
and equality advocating. To this day, the Mt. Olive Baptist Church is 
still committed to the spiritual grown of all and concerned about 
matters that impact the community.
  For its contributions to the development of Johnson County, Kansas, 
the Mt. Olive Baptist Church is truly a ``Trailblazer''.


                         alfonso and marv webb

  In 1947, parents of 39 school children attempted but failed to enroll 
their children in the new South Park Grade School, which was less than 
a mile from their homes. The parents did not want to send their 
children to the Madame C.J. Walker School, which did not have running 
water, electricity or up-to-date textbooks. Instead, the parents 
elected, with the permission of the pastor of the Mt. Olive Baptist 
Church, to set up school at the church and in homes. Two of these 
parents were Alfonso and Mary Webb.
  Preceding the Brown vs. The Topeka Board of Education decision, Mr. 
and Mrs. Alfonso Webb, on behalf of their minor children, Harvey and 
Eugene Webb, the plaintiffs, filed suit in the 1948 desegregation case, 
Webb vs. School District #90. Included in this litigation were Shirley 
Ann Turner and Herbert Turner, minor children of Thelma and Earnest 
Turner, and Delores Gay and Patricia Black, minor children of Thomas 
Black.
  The Kansas Supreme Court ruled that the black students would attend 
the previously all white South Park Elementary School. In September 
1949 the black students were admitted without incident.
  Alfonso and Mary Webb were truly ``Trailblazers.''


                          the McCallop Family

  Robert L. McCallop was born in Wilder, Kansas, in 1894. Robert 
reflected the success of African-Americans all across the country. He 
took something that many of us take for granted and turned it into an 
achievement based upon business and education.
  In 1934 Robert turned the back of a truck into a bus to provide 
transportation for African-American children so that they could attend 
school in Wyandotte County, Kansas. The McCallop Company was the first 
black-owned bus company in Johnson County.
  Thanks to the McCallop family, black children in Johnson County in 
the 1930s through the 1950s were able to get an education. Because of 
segregated times, African-American Johnson County children were unable 
to attend secondary school within the county. Instead, they were forced 
to cross over to Wyandotte County to attend Sumner High School.
  Oscar Johnson, former educator and President of the Johnson County 
Branch of the NAACP, states: ``the McCallops were a family so intact, 
so committed to stay the course in a community that wasn't always 
welcoming. Yet, they thrived and flourished despite the odds they 
faced''.
  William, sibling of Robert McCallop, and his wife Ruth, will appear 
at Saturday's event to accept this award for the contributions the 
McCallops has given to this county and the McCallops are truly 
``Trailblazers''.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank you for the opportunity to pay tribute to these 
distinguished Johnson Countians and to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, and I 
know that all members of the United States House of Representatives 
join with me in saluting these ``trailblazers.''

                          ____________________