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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E66]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE BRUCE ELEMENTARY 3
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HON. STEVE COHEN
of tennessee
in the house of representatives
Friday, January 24, 2020
Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to give special recognition to
the Bruce 3, the three first graders who integrated Bruce Elementary
School in Memphis in 1961, and to the artist who so thoughtfully
depicted that historic event in a mural on the school's cafeteria
walls. Harry Williams, Dwania Kyles and Menelik Fombi were the
courageous pioneers, part of the Memphis 13, who integrated the Memphis
school system that year.
Memphian Jamond Bullock's mural of the Bruce students was unveiled in
a ceremony on January 17 at which I was proud to speak. I reminded the
current students, teachers, Shelby County School Board officials, other
alumni and school supporters that it was my friend, the late Civil
Rights advocate and longtime judge Russell Sugarmon, who came up with
the idea that it should be first graders integrating Memphis' public
schools. This was unlike the practice at Little Rock Central High
School in Arkansas, in 1957, where older students who were integrating
the school incurred the taunts of angry mobs and federal troops were
called in to keep the peace.
Judge Sugarmon said that escorting the Malone twins, Sheila and
Sharon, into Gordon Elementary School in 1961 was one of his proudest
moments. The Bruce 3 endured the loneliness and ostracism of being the
only African Americans in the otherwise all-white school, and did not
even share the same classrooms. They were heroes and so were their
courageous parents.
Menelik Fombi's father, A.W. Willis Jr., was a leading Civil Rights
advocate and Russell Sugarmon's law partner at the time. A.W. Willis
Jr. and Russell Sugarmon were the first and second African Americans
elected to the Tennessee General Assembly since Reconstruction. Dwania
Kyles' father, the late Reverend Samuel Billy Kyles, pastor of
Monumental Baptist Church, was one of the last to speak with Dr. Martin
Luther King Jr. before he was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel in
April 1968.
Artist Jamond Bullock, founder of AlivePaint, is a nationally
recognized mural designer and painter who has enlivened the walls of
buildings in Memphis with uplifting imagery. His Bruce Elementary
painting, which he completed over two and a half months during school
holidays and off hours, was inspired by the courage of the three Bruce
students, and he has said he is proud that current students will be
reminded of their predecessors' courage and sacrifice. He has done our
city a great service. I was pleased to speak with the Bruce students,
young and old, and to celebrate this important chapter in Memphis and
American history.
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