[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 78 (Friday, May 10, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING JAMES HAMMOND FOR HIS SELFLESS DEVOTION TO CIVIL RIGHTS AND 
                         SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 10, 2019

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today in admiration and 
respect to honor the life of true civil rights champion, James Hammond. 
Retired Lt. Col. U.S. Army James Hammond was born on November 11th--
Veterans Day, a fitting beginning for a man who would give so much to 
our state and our country. A pioneering civil rights leader, Mr. 
Hammond helped shape my hometown of Tampa and we will remember his 
legacy for the stands he took, the differences he made and the lives he 
touched.
  Born in Tampa, FL, Mr. Hammond graduated from Middleton High School 
and later attended Hampton University earning a degree in electrical 
engineering. He served his country in the U.S. Army in Texas, Germany, 
England and Washington, rising all the way to the rank of lieutenant 
colonel. While serving in the Army he created the Hammond Electric 
Company. He became Tampa's first African-American, licensed, class-A 
electrical contractor. He would go on to use his experience in business 
to help create the Tampa Hillsborough Action Plan--working to bring 
affordable housing and business incubators to underserved areas.
  Mr. Hammond served as the First Commissioner of Community Relations 
for the City of Tampa. In that role he was tasked with working towards 
racial equality during the mid-60s. He worked to bring people together, 
while constantly pushing our community to improve. His work led to more 
training and jobs for African-Americans in city government. He 
partnered with U.S. Congressman Sam Gibbons to secure a federal grant 
to create our county's first preschool program. He worked to integrate 
Tampa's downtown businesses. Where there was discrimination, he worked 
for change; where there was injustice, he worked to overcome it; and 
where there was an opportunity to improve the lives of his neighbors, 
he seized on it.
  Mr. Hammond's commitment to education lasted throughout his life. He 
and his beloved wife Evelyne established a scholarship fund at their 
alma mater, Hampton University. At the elementary school named for him, 
students and families would often see him at school events. As Hammond 
Elementary School principal Sheri Norkas described, ``He would tell the 
students to repeat after him, and they happily repeated, `I will be 
somebody.' ''
  Mr. Hammond was part of the fabric of the Tampa community, helping 
improve lives every day. He served as Chairman of the Civil Service 
Board, District Chairman Boy Scouts of America, Board of Director 
Member of The Greater Tampa Urban League, the Greater Tampa Chamber of 
Commerce and Community Federal Savings and Loan Association. He was a 
life member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the NAACP. He has been 
honored on this floor before, when my friend Congressman Alcee Hastings 
proclaimed May 4th as National James A. Hammond Day.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of America, the citizens of Florida and my 
neighbors across Tampa Bay, I am proud to honor James Hammond for his 
courage and selfless devotion to the people in our country and our 
community. The time and energy he put in to improving the lives of 
every person he met are unmatched. Today, we all pledge to carry on his 
work and practice what he preached, the ``Three P's'' of patience, 
persistence and positive thinking. He lifted up others and inspired our 
greater Tampa community to bridge our differences for the benefit of 
all. He walked humbly and was full of grace.

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