[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 76 (Wednesday, June 14, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      TRIBUTE TO DR. JAMES CAMERON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GWEN MOORE

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 2006

  Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin.  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize one 
of our Nation's true civil rights pioneers, a constituent of mine who 
has graced Milwaukee with his work for justice and equality for over 50 
years. Sadly, that man, Dr. James Cameron, died June 11, 2006.
  When Dr. Cameron was only 16 years old, he was subject to a horrific, 
and horrifically common, episode of racial violence when a crowd 
lynched him and two friends. Though his friends perished in the ordeal, 
Dr. Cameron was miraculously released--an outcome that he attributed to 
divine intervention--making him the only known survivor of a lynching. 
Out of that experience, he built a life and a legacy dedicated to the 
eradication of racism, the preservation of African American history, 
and the advancement of civil rights for all.
  Following his deliverance, Dr. Cameron focused his life on advancing 
the cause of equality and civil rights. He founded three chapters of 
the NAACP in Indiana in the 1940s, and served as first president in the 
Anderson, IN, chapter. He served as Indiana State Director of Civil 
Liberties until 1950, in which capacity he investigated and reported to 
the Governor of Indiana on violations of equal accommodation law. 
Despite receiving many threats and facing numerous acts of violence, he 
continued to work toward racial equality. He marched twice with Dr. 
Cameron and with many others then and later.
  Inspired by efforts of members of the Jewish community to document 
their history of persecution, Dr. Cameron opened America's Black 
Holocaust Museum in 1988. The museum continues to document the 
devastating effects of slavery, lynching and racial violence. As a 
result of his life-long efforts, Dr. Cameron received a public apology 
from the U.S. Senate for its failure to take decisive action to end the 
epidemic of lynchings in the south.
  Dr. Cameron acted as a courageous visionary. He endeavored to use the 
lessons of an ugly violent past to build a foundation for real unity. 
He worked to realize a world in which racism and violence are relegated 
to history. Dr. Cameron exemplifies the imperative of the civil rights 
struggle--the call to listen to our humanity over and above our fear. 
Despite his experiences, Dr. Cameron did not seek safety by trying to 
carry on a quiet, private life. He embraced the call to work publicly, 
despite the risks to his own safety, to secure full equality for all. 
He taught us to be better, not bitter--even though it would have been 
very easy for him to succumb to a life of anger after surviving such a 
violent and hateful experience. I am honored to have this opportunity 
to pay tribute to his singular courage, visionary leadership and 
unwavering commitment to our community.

                          ____________________