[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 77 (Tuesday, June 4, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E789]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MR. WALTER BRUCE, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 4, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. 
Walter Bruce, Jr., who is a remarkable public servant.
  Mr. Walter Bruce, Jr., an 84-year-old native of Durant, Miss., was 
born May 30, 1928. He is the son of the late Mr. Walter Bruce, Sr. and 
the late Mrs. Georgia Bruce. He had seven sisters and six brothers and 
a loving wife, Louise, who are all deceased.
  Mr. Bruce, Jr. was educated in Holmes County and grew up in the 
country where his parents were small farmers. Historically, he is 
mostly known for his dedicated work to the civil rights movement in 
Holmes County. He started the county's Freedom Democratic Party (HFDO). 
The Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party was an American political 
party created in Mississippi in 1964, during the Civil Rights Movement. 
It was organized by black and white Mississippians with assistance from 
the student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and Council of 
Federated Organizations (COFO) to challenge the legitimacy of the 
white-only U.S. Democratic Party.
  Mr. Bruce participated in marches and boycotts in Holmes County and 
in Jackson, Miss.. He and others worked with nationally noted activist 
Fannie Lou Hamer of the Mississippi Delta. He was extremely 
instrumental in bringing about emergence of black elected officials in 
Holmes County as well as black police officers.
  Prior to his work in the civil rights movement, Mr. Bruce organized 
an all-black Little League Baseball Team which he headed for 16 years. 
He is also founder of the legendary gospel singing group, Soul 
Travelers of Durant, Miss. After 54 years, he still heads the group 
today.
  Mr. Bruce is the father of two adult daughters and four 
grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Walter 
Bruce, Jr. for his dedication to serving others and giving back to the 
African American community.

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