[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 16, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MR. AND MRS. WILFORD AND MARIE NORTON, COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS

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                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 16, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
late Mr. Wilford Norton, Sr., and Mrs. Marie Norton of Rolling Fork, 
MS, who were instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement during the 
origin of civil rights in Mississippi. Both Mr. and Mrs. Norton played 
significant roles in the success of voter registration and equality for 
local citizens in Sharkey County and surrounding counties. In 1965-66, 
Mr. Wilford and Marie Norton worked hand in hand with the late Mr. 
Sidney Alexander, Sr. (who was a strong advocate for civil rights) and 
other brave and resilient citizens to ensure all eligible and those 
that were of age were registered to vote. They spent many hours 
traveling throughout the counties visiting families to encourage them; 
this was during an era when many families were afraid of consequences 
and feared their safety. With much persuasion and long hours of labor, 
voters were registered.
  In 1964, Marie and Wilford Norton also assisted in housing white 
students who traveled from Massachusetts and Ohio to assist the 
community in organizing the Head Start Program and other community 
programs. During this time the Nortons resided at 507 Magnolia Street, 
a small house with only three bedrooms. The Norton children sacrificed 
their beds for the comfort of their guests.
  Shortly after the Massachusetts and Ohio visitors departed Rolling 
Fork, the Ku Klux Klan burned a cross in the center of the field that 
stood across the street from 507 Magnolia Street. During this time 
(1964 or 1965) the field was vacant with no houses. The burning cross 
was center field directly in front of the Norton's home and center to 
the newly organized Head Start Center (Ms. Francis Alexander's home 
until her passing) adjacent to Magnolia Street on Poplar Street. This 
did not deter the Nortons or the Alexanders in the cause for justice 
and equality; their will to end bigotry and injustice continued strong 
in both families.
  This was a time when some in the community were making it known that 
they wanted an end to inequality and made a stand as they formed Picket 
Groups; the Norton and Alexander children 10 years of age and above 
were taken out of school to assist in a week-long of picketing all 
local merchants in Rolling Fork; they were joined by a few other 
Rolling Fork families and families from surrounding counties. In 1966, 
two of the Norton girls were amongst the first to integrate the former 
Fielding L. Wright School (currently Rolling Fork High School) in 
Rolling Fork. Though this was not an easy transition for the 
participating Norton children and others, it was a sacrifice that 
families made to end segregation in the public school system.
  In 1963, Mr. Wilford Norton, Sr., joined Mr. Sydney Alexander, Sr., 
and a few other men of Rolling Fork, MS, with much support from their 
wives to participate in the March on Washington with Martin Luther 
King, Jr., that occurred on August 28, 1963, to rally for freedom, 
jobs, justice and equality for all at the Lincoln Memorial where Dr. 
King gave his awesome ``I Have a Dream'' speech. Mr. Norton could not 
have been any prouder when he returned to his family; he told of how 
this was one of the most incredible events and days of his life.

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