[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 153 (Thursday, September 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                        TRIBUTE TO CALVIN WRIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 13, 2018

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
constituent and long-time friend, Calvin Wright, who has dedicated his 
life to our nation through activism, civic endeavors and military 
service. Mr. Wright is being honored on September 20th for his more 
than 50 years of public service to Orangeburg County, South Carolina, 
and the nation.
  As a high school student, Mr. Wright was among the hundreds of 
protestors in the `` Orangeburg Movement'' who were arrested and jailed 
for civil disobedience. Mr. Wright continued his activism as Vice 
President of the State NAACP Youth Conference. His experiences with 
seasoned leaders of the Movement undergirded his activism and 
reinforced his commitment to social justice.
  Mr. Wright was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1965, just after his 
graduation from Wilkinson High School. He earned the rank of Sergeant 
in less than 10 months and was deployed to Vietnam in 1968. Mr. Wright 
resolutely discharged his duties and was awarded a Certificate of 
Military Combat by the 18th Military Police Brigade, 93rd Military 
Police Company for outstanding service in Vietnam.
  Once back in Orangeburg, Mr. Wright challenged the lack of 
opportunity facing his fellow African Americans, veterans, the poor, 
and disenfranchised. He became a foot soldier in President Lyndon 
Johnson's ``War on Poverty.'' Mr. Wright served on the Board of 
Directors for the Orangeburg Area Committee for Economic Progress 
(Orangeburg-Calhoun-Allendale-Bamberg [OCAB] Community Action Agency, 
Inc.)--the local Community Action Program. Mr. Wright resigned his seat 
in 1977 to become Deputy Director of the Agency. He became the agency's 
Executive Director in 1983.
  Along with the block grant programs that are the core of OCAB, the 
agency has a long-running HIV Prevention Peer Education Project, a Non-
Traditional Occupational Training for Women, and an employment 
opportunity program for mothers receiving public assistance. Mr. Wright 
created the OCAB Community Development Association which constructed 
the Ujima Village Apartments for low income elderly and disabled 
residents. He also directed the construction of new Head Start Centers 
in Allendale, Bamberg, and Orangeburg.
  Mr. Wright' s years of service have touched many lives. All his 
experiences as an advocate and soldier have enabled him to effectively 
serve his community. He has been a leader for civil rights, community 
service and humanitarianism and has received numerous honors and awards 
for these efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in recognizing 
this barrier-breaking public servant, and to wish him Godspeed and 
continued success.

                          ____________________