[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 26078]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    TRIBUTE TO REVEREND WILLIE JAMES

 Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
great work of a civil rights pioneer and chapter president of the 
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People of 
Willingboro, New Jersey, Reverend Willie James, on the occasion of his 
receiving the award for exemplary community service.
  Reverend James began his work for civil rights in 1958 when he 
attempted to buy a house in Willingboro's Levitt community. He was told 
that houses would not be sold to African-Americans. Reverend James 
decided to sue. Two years later, the United States Supreme Court 
officially integrated Willingboro, enabling Reverend James to become 
one of the community's first African-American residents.
  In 1974, work demands forced Reverend James to move to Rhode Island. 
While in Rhode Island, Reverend James joined a statewide commission 
that studied disparities in white and minority prison rates than 
whites.
  Eventually Reverend James returned to New Jersey where his level of 
activism flourished. He became president of the Willingboro chapter of 
the NAACP. During his time as president, Reverend James made great 
progress researching the issue of disproportionate African-American 
male imprisonment.
  In the recent election, Reverend James and the local chapter of the 
NAACP worked on motivating minorities to vote. Reverend James is a 
recipient of more than 30 local and national awards for his commitment 
to public service.
  I am pleased to honor Reverend Willie James on this joyous occasion. 
His family, his friends, and his community are indebted to him for his 
unyielding service. This honor is richly-deserved. I salute him on yet 
another great achievement.

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