[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 11 (Friday, January 17, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E102]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                      HONORING WILL T. TURNER, SR.

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 17, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. 
Will T. Turner, Sr., who is a remarkable Civil Rights Worker, 
Extraordinary and public servant.
  Mr. Will T. Turner, Sr. was born in Jefferson County, Mississippi on 
February 23, 1930 to Rena and Warren Turner, Sr. At the age of 7, his 
mother died shortly after childbirth and his Uncle and Aunt, Howard and 
Mary Lou Nichols, reared him along with his siblings.
  Mr. Turner, Sr. attended Jefferson County Training School. Being 
independent and desiring a better life, at the age of 16 he began 
working with Sidney Brown, a white contractor. He remained in his 
employment for 20 years. During this period he became adept in the 
construction field and well known in this arena. He was approached to 
do private jobs, independent of Sidney Brown, which led to the 
beginning of Turner Construction.
  Well known throughout the community for his generosity and kindness, 
Mr. Turner, Sr. became instrumental in the Civil Rights Movement in 
Fayette, Mississippi. In 1963, he moved Charles Evers, brother of slain 
civil rights advocate Medgar Evers, to Fayette. He became instrumental 
in the Civil Rights Movement of Fayette, Mississippi as well as the 
surrounding communities. He attended weekly NAACP Mass Meetings, 
participated in numerous civil rights marches and was often jailed for 
equality and justice for all.
  In 1964, Mr. Turner, Sr. was elected as one of the first Black 
Aldermen to serve in a bi-racial town in the State of Mississippi along 
with four other blacks and Charles Evers as Mayor. He served three 
terms as an Alderman of the City of Fayette. He also served as Coroner 
of Jefferson County for 24 years.
  Mr. Turner, Sr. is married to the former Florence Clark and they are 
the proud parents of two sons--Will T., Jr. and Perry (deceased) and 
five daughters--Delories, Mary, Patricia, Tina and Janice.
  After working to register people to vote, after encouraging others to 
participate in the work of the movement in several different places, 
Mr. Turner participated in the slate of blacks seeking to make changes 
with the elected officials in the town of Fayette and they were all 
elected.
  When elected to the Board of Alderman of Fayette, he was interviewed 
by JET magazine and they were all published in that month's issue of 
Jet.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a Civil 
Rights Worker Extraordinaire, Mr. Will T. Turner, Sr., for his 
dedication to serving others and giving back to the African American 
community.

                          ____________________