[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 57 (Thursday, April 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING THE THOMPSON-CLEMONS POST NUMBER 200

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor The 
Thompson-Clemons Post Number 200 of Greenwood, Mississippi.
  The Thompson-Clemons Post Number 200 of Greenwood, Mississippi was 
the first African American Post established in the State of Mississippi 
and came about due to the perseverance of eighteen determined Black 
Veterans of World War I and World War II in the Mississippi Delta.
  These veterans attempted to join Keeler-Hamrick-Gillespie Post Number 
29 which refused them membership. Given that this was the 1940s and 
Mississippi being a segregationist state, Post Number 29 could not get 
a majority vote of its members to allow black veterans to join their 
post.
  The eighteen black veterans filed a petition to start a new post and 
presented it to the Mississippi Department of the American Legion. Mr. 
Solomon N. Dickerson, a black veteran, postal worker and co-worker of 
Mr. Author H. Ritchter, the Adjutant of post Number 29, worked to get 
the petition through the District. It was due to their vigorous and 
persistent correspondence to the District and the Mississippi 
Department of the American Legion that they were allowed to form a 
separate post if they could find a sponsor.
  Keesler-Hamrick-Gillespie Post Number 29 agreed to serve as a sponsor 
to assist Thompson-Clemons Post Number 200 in getting the temporary 
charter, paving the way for other charters to be granted to other black 
veteran's groups throughout the state of Mississippi.
  Originally, the post was called the Mississippi Delta Post Number 
200. Mr. L.H. Threadgill, principal of Stone Street High School, a 
veteran of World War II, proposed that the post be named after two 
former students of Stone Street High School, that were killed in action 
during WWII. The motion carried and the name was adopted. Thompson-
Clemons Post Number 200 was granted a permanent charter on July 28, 
1949, becoming the first Black post in the State of Mississippi. The 
first Post Commander was Mr. Solomon N. Dickerson.
  Mr. L.H. Threadgill and others in the community were instrumental in 
purchasing the property, obtaining a deed, and getting a building to 
establish a post headquarters where it is still located today.
  The Thompson-Clemons Post Number 200 of Greenwood, Mississippi has a 
distinct track record of encouragement to veterans with issues, be they 
be from serving abroad; in combat situations or statewide service. 
Issues range from transportation to Regional Office and VA Hospital for 
medical disability claims, educational and skill training, housing and 
other activities including establishing collaborative partnerships with 
community organizations to provide emergency services such as 
utilities, homes for the homeless, counseling and assistance in 
understanding the myriad of services provided by the VA.
  The VA community activities include sponsorship of little league 
baseball teams, voter education classes, veterans day celebration, 
adopt a school program, donations to needy families, Boys State Program 
and the National American Legion Oratorical Contest, where candidates 
sponsored by Post Number 200, have won the Mississippi State 
Championship four times, and three out of the past four years.
  Leadership activities include a weekly live call in radio talk 
program aired on WGNL 104.3 FM in Greenwood, Mississippi where veterans 
can actually dial up and talk about issues that affect them and their 
community. Partnering with organizations such as the National 
Association of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Greenwood 
Voters League, Mississippi Valley State University and other community 
based groups that advocate for social justice.
  Thompson-Clemons Post Number 200 is well integrated into the fabric 
and culture of the Mississippi Delta and should be recognized as a Post 
that has the interest of our service men, their families and community 
at heart.
  The American Legion Post Number 200 is moving forward to continue the 
legacy of those early veterans who honorably served their country and 
had the vision that through the American Legion and its core 
principles, they could continue to protect and build an America and 
Mississippi.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing a 
remarkable organization, The Thompson-Clemons Post Number 200, for its 
dedication to serving our veterans and giving back to the African 
American community.

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