[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5189]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MELVIN LEE LOPER

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 16, 2015

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
self-motivated leader and innovator of the community, Mr. Melvin Lee 
Loper, who was born on March 16, 1920 in Finkbine, Mississippi, which 
is no longer on the map. It was a logging camp for the loggers which 
was his father's occupation. His parents, the late Marshall and Mamie 
Loper, later moved to Raymond, Mississippi where they worked as 
sharecroppers. His only sibling was a younger brother, Otis Loper, who 
is now deceased.
  In those days, rural schools did not go further than 8th grade. He 
lived with a cousin in Jackson, Mississippi to attend high school, and 
graduated from Lanier High School in 1939. He entered Tougaloo College 
but was drafted in the United States Army in World War II. He served 
for four years with a tour of duty in Europe. He returned to Tougaloo 
College and completed his studies in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science 
degree in Mathematics.
  In 1973, he received a Master's Degree in Administration from Jackson 
College, after many years of attending summer school and taking classes 
on Saturdays. That was the way of life to further your education back 
in the day.
  He began his teaching career in Smith county; later Sumner Hill High 
School and Jackson Public Schools. After thirty-three years of teaching 
he retired in 1985. He continued teaching several years after 
retirement because Mathematics teachers were always in demand.
  He has been an active member of Farish Street Baptist Church for 55 
years. He served as: Sunday School teacher, a Member of the Boy Scout 
Committee, and attended Wednesday night Bible Study faithfully until 
his recent illness. He has been in the choir for fifty years, and 
served as Church Treasurer for thirty-three years.
  He was an original member of the Jackson Tougaloo Alumni Club, 
organized by the late Mrs. Thelma Sanders forty-four years ago. He was 
serving as President when the club sponsored the Broadway play, ``Ain't 
Misbehavin''' which was a great success. He worked for years with the 
committee sponsoring the Ebony Fashion Show. He is a loyal supporter of 
Tougaloo College with his funds and presence, when able.
  He is married to Gwendolyn Nero Loper and they have three children: 
Rodney, Larry and Gerrilyn; ten grandchildren and eleven great-
grandchildren.
  His secret to longevity is hard work, attending to your business, 
being an avid sports fan, and marrying a good cook.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Melvin 
Lee Loper.

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