[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. JAMES CAMERON

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2006

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. I rise today to pay tribute to 
one of America's great heroes, Dr. James Cameron. Dr. Cameron is a 
living representation of how greatness and truth can overcome the 
hatred and intolerance of racism.
  As a young man, Dr. Cameron lived through the atrocity of being 
lynched and beaten in front of a mob of 15,000 for a crime he did not 
commit.
  As the only living survivor of a lynching, Dr. Cameron has stood up 
and served as a reminder of the violence and hatred that can exist 
within mankind. Too often we seek to ignore such atrocities when 
writing our history; however, Dr. Cameron has dedicated his life to 
remind us of our true history.
  Dr. Cameron has devoted his life's work to the pursuit and 
recognition of civil rights. He has revealed to millions of Americans 
the true account of this Nation's racial injustice through his founding 
of the American Black Holocaust Museum in 1988.
  The American Black Holocaust Museum's straightforward presentations 
of pervasive racial injustices and violence serve not only to educate 
but to allow us to reexamine and rethink our own views towards racism.
  There are many young people who may not know of or did not experience 
this period of history. However, it is imperative we recognize our true 
American history. We cannot develop future policies or laws without 
knowing or applying the lessons we have learned from the past. It is 
through work such as Dr. Cameron's that young people can remember the 
sacrifices and contributions of those who came before them, and find 
new inspiration to fight for change.

                          ____________________