[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E507-E508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE YAZOO FAIR & CIVIC LEAGUE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 15, 2015

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
group of innovators who have shown what can be done through hard work, 
dedication and a desire to serve their community, the Yazoo Fair & 
Civic League. The Yazoo Fair & Civic League has served the Yazoo County 
community and the State of Mississippi through social and civic 
engagement.
  The Yazoo Fair & Civic League's history date back to 1932; when R.J. 
Pierce and T.J. Huddleston decided to establish a county fair for black 
residents to enjoy. D.W. Lindsey assisted in sponsoring the first fair 
in October 1932. Three years later, Gov. Martin Conner signed the 
charter for the Yazoo Negro Fair Association. The group purchased land 
on Calhoun Avenue where an exhibit building was constructed.
  During the early 60s, H.A. Scott was elected president, and H.C. 
Fouche was chosen as vice president. As president Scott faced several 
challenges. The biggest challenge was finances. The association was 
$67,500 in debt. In order to resolve the debt the property facing 
Calhoun Avenue and a plot west of Lamar Avenue was sold along with the 
exhibit building.
  After these challenges were met the association had the vision for a 
community center. Also during this time the Yazoo Negro Fair 
Association became the Yazoo Fair and Civic League. Federal funding was 
used to construct the L.T. Miller Community Center which was completed 
in 1971. The large tract of unused space around the center was used to 
construct 48 apartments for elderly and disabled residents with a grant 
for over $1.5 million from HUD. The Lintonia Apartments opened in May 
of 1986. During the 1990s the association built H.A. Scott Apartments 
with about 80 units creating a very healthy tax base to the Yazoo area. 
Currently, the association has a 60 unit apartment complex in

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Jackson, MS, 40 in Meridian and 30 in Clarksdale.
  The Yazoo Fair and Civic League began as an effort to provide black 
Yazooans with a public place to hold community events during a time 
when they had nowhere else to go. Today, the Yazoo Fair & Civic League 
continues to provide a public facility for all of the community to 
enjoy, and the organization has expanded its mission to provide 
affordable housing to many residents. The association also manages the 
historic Oakes African American Cultural Center, which was home to the 
legendary Oakes Family in Yazoo City for over a century. A.J. Oakes, 
III deeded the home to the Yazoo Fair & Civic League in 1990, and the 
home has become a museum highlighting and celebrating local black 
history.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Yazoo 
Fair & Civic League for its dedication to serving others and giving 
back to the community.

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