[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 67 (Thursday, April 16, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY'S BLACK STUDENT ORGANIZATION

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 16, 2026

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
moment of profound historical significance in the 2nd Congressional 
District of Mississippi--the unveiling of a Mississippi Freedom Trail 
marker at Delta State University on March 10, 2026, commemorating the 
1969 Black Student Organization Student Sit-In. This event marks a 
pivotal chapter in the university's history and in the broader Civil 
Rights Movement in the Mississippi Delta.
  During an era when desegregation efforts were unfolding across the 
South--often met with resistance--Black students at Delta State 
University courageously organized to confront inequality and injustice 
on their campus. While the story of James Meredith is widely known, the 
experiences of students at smaller regional institutions like Delta 
State are equally deserving of recognition.
  Despite the university's legal integration, Black students endured 
discrimination in classrooms, social spaces, and campus life. They 
faced unfair grading practices, racial hostility, and exclusion from 
full participation in the academic community. In response, these 
students formed the Black Student Organization (BSO) in 1969, uniting 
to advocate for equity, dignity, and representation.
  The BSO presented university leadership with a list of ten demands, 
including the hiring of Black faculty and counselors, fair grading 
policies, an end to racial slurs, and greater academic and cultural 
inclusion.
  When their concerns were dismissed, students organized peacefully--
meeting, marching, and ultimately staging a sit-in at Kethley Hall on 
March 10, 1969. On that day, more than fifty students were arrested 
after refusing to leave the administration building. They were 
transported to the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman, where 
they were held overnight. Their courage in the face of intimidation and 
injustice became one of the most significant civil rights moments in 
Delta State's history and student's bravery. Though met with 
resistance, their actions brought meaningful change. The university 
began to address inequities, including hiring more Black faculty and 
improving fairness in academic practices. More importantly, these 
students helped lay the foundation for a more inclusive and equitable 
campus environment for future generations.
  Today, more than fifty years later, the Mississippi Freedom Trail 
marker stands outside Kethley Hall as a lasting tribute to their 
bravery and determination. It serves as a reminder that progress is 
often born from sacrifice, and that the voices of determined 
individuals can shape institutions and communities for the better.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the students 
of the 1969 Delta State Sit-In. Their legacy continues to inspire those 
who seek justice, equality, and opportunity for all.

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