[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 176 (Thursday, December 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MR. CLARENCE
                               HALL, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
champion, Mr. Clarence Hall, Jr. He has shown what can be done through 
hard work, dedication and a desire to make life better for others.
  Mr. Clarence Hall, Jr. was born in Issaquena County and attended 
school there. In 1941 he volunteered for the U.S. Army, three of his 
five years of service was spent in the European Theatre of Operation 
during World War II. After completing his military service, Mr. Hall 
attended Agricultural School for four years in Delta City, MS.
  Mr. Hall is a faithful member of the St. John Missionary Baptist 
Church at Palmetto, MS. He has been married to Selvey Hall for 58 
years. He has a son, Clarence Hall, III and a daughter, Ruth Ann Evans, 
8 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
  While Mr. Hall didn't have multiple degrees to attach to his name, he 
has many, many deeds to attach. He is well versed with common sense and 
a sense of humility. His love for God and Humanity was instrumental in 
his endeavors to ensure that all men were treated fairly, which is what 
lead him to becoming a Civil/Human Rights Activist.
  In 1957, he was the first Black in Issaquena County to pay poll tax. 
Later, in 1964, he was one of the founding members of the Issaquena 
County Freedom Democratic Party, a political action organization that 
helped to organize black voters into a viable political force. Mr. Hall 
and others appeared before the United States Commission on Civil Rights 
on February 16-20, 1965 to testify about Blacks in Mississippi being 
denied the right to register to vote and abolish the literacy test. He 
was also fired from Akin Saw Co., when he went to Washington D.C. 
seeking funds for the Child Development Group of MS which is now called 
Headstart.
  In 1969 Mr. Hall was one of the founding members of Delta Foundation, 
Inc. and is a current board member. Also, he founded the Issaquena 
County Federal Credit Union in Mayersville, where he has been the 
Manager, CEO/Chairman for the past 36 years.
  He filed a redistricting lawsuit in Issaquena County which resulted 
in the election of the first black supervisor. He was also active in 
getting the Mississippi Congressional Districts redrawn to make it 
possible for Blacks to be elected into the U.S. House of 
Representatives. Mr. Clarence Hall, Jr. has served in several 
capacities in Sharkey and Issaquena County to improve life for others. 
He has worked at Delta Opportunities Corporation, MS Delta Council for 
Farm Workers, elected to Western Line School Board, member of Issaquena 
County Executive Committee, member of the Sharkey/Issaquena Hospital 
Board of Trustees, member of the Issaquena County Levee Board 
Commission and founding member of the Lake Jackson Water Association 
among other things.
  Clarence has also received several awards throughout his life. In 
1968 he received the Rural Service Award from the Office of Economic 
Opportunity in Washington, D.C. and awards for services to the 
Issaquena County Federal Credit Union, Western Line School Board and 
the Delta Area School Board Association.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. 
Clarence Hall, Jr. for his dedication to serving others and giving back 
to the community.

                          ____________________