Honoring John Hunter Gray

HONORING JOHN HUNTER GRAY-BENNIE G. THOMPSON (Extensions of Remarks - February 10, 2004)

BENNIE G. THOMPSON
OF MISSISSIPPI
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Tuesday, February 10, 2004

Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize Hunter Gray, a civil rights activist involved in the southern movement from the summer of 1961 to the summer of 1967.

Hunter Gray, formerly John Salter, took the name of his Native American family some years ago and has been one of the Nation's most ardent advocates on behalf of Native rights. He was recently diagnosed with a severe and possibly fatal case of lupus that has also brought on a bad case of diabetes.

John Salter was very active with the Jackson, Mississippi, NAACP and boycott in 1964. He was in the trenches with Medgar Evers and others during the civil rights movement from 1961 until Evers was assassinated and Gray and his wife and young son left the State. He also wrote a book titled, Jackson, Mississippi: An American Chronicle of Struggle and Schism (1979).

Hunter Gray's commitment to civil rights has continued throughout the years. He and his wife Eldri, who has been a partner in the struggle for equality for 40 years, now live in Idaho. He has been hospitalized several times over the past few months , and his medication and hospitalization costs are very expensive. Many of his friends are organizing a testimonial and fund-raiser to let him know how grateful we are to him for his many sacrifices and contributions to civil rights, Native American and labor causes.

For further information on Hunter Gray, I refer you to his widely read Web site at www.hunterbear.org. Hunter Gray has left a formative mark on the shape of Mississippi history. I thank him for his service to civil rights and to Mississippi. I ask that you keep him in your prayers and meditations.

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