[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 39 (Tuesday, March 5, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E209]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE REVEREND GEORGE LEE MUSEUMS OF AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY 
                              AND HERITAGE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 5, 2024

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable organization, The Reverend George Lee Museums of African 
American History and Heritage.
  The Reverend George Lee Museums of African American History and 
Heritage is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located at 17150 
Highway 49 in Belzoni, Mississippi.
  Who is Rev. George W. Lee? Rev. George W. Lee was a pivotal figure in 
the fight for civil rights for Black Americans. He is recognized as the 
first person to die in this struggle. His name holds a place of honor 
as the first among 40 names listed on the Civil Rights Memorial in 
Montgomery, Alabama. Rev. Lee was a prominent Baptist pastor in 
Belzoni, Mississippi, where he led a congregation. He was deeply 
committed to the cause of civil rights and served as a local official 
for the NAACP. Rev. Lee tirelessly encouraged his congregation to 
register and exercise their right to vote, recognizing that meaningful 
change for Black citizens in Mississippi, a state marked by racial 
discrimination, could only be achieved through the ballot box.
  The mission of The Reverend George Lee Museums of African American 
History and Heritage is to safeguard and celebrate history, culture, 
arts, and heritage within the African American community. Through 
various programs and initiatives, the museum aims to increase awareness 
and appreciation of African American and Mississippi's history, while 
fostering racial harmony and a deeper understanding of cultural 
diversity. Collaborating with existing projects and organizations, as 
well as establishing new initiatives, the museum endeavors to preserve 
and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Mississippi Delta. The 
museum's primary focus areas include Blues, Gospel, Civil Rights, and 
the Arts.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing The 
Reverend George Lee Museums of African American History and Heritage 
for their passion and dedication to serving their community and the 
state of Mississippi.

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