HONORING THE GREENWOOD VOTERS LEAGUE

HONORING THE GREENWOOD VOTERS LEAGUE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 47 (Monday, March 16, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 47 (Monday, March 16, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E218] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE GREENWOOD VOTERS LEAGUE _____ HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON of mississippi in the house of representatives Monday, March 16, 2026 Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the historic legacy of the Greenwood Voters League, an organization whose courage, persistence, and commitment to democracy transformed political participation in Greenwood, Mississippi, and helped advance voting rights throughout the Mississippi Delta. Founded in the years following the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the Greenwood Voters League emerged at a time when African American citizens in Leflore County--despite being a majority of the population--were systematically excluded from meaningful political representation. Through grassroots organizing, voter education, and unwavering advocacy, the League worked to ensure that Black citizens could fully exercise their constitutional right to vote and participate in local governance. Building upon earlier civil rights efforts in Greenwood led by local leaders and national organizations such as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, the Greenwood Voters League focused on converting voter registration gains into political power. The League played a pivotal role in mobilizing voters, endorsing candidates, and challenging discriminatory electoral systems that diluted the voting strength of African American citizens. One of the League's most significant contributions came through its leadership in litigation challenging Greenwood's at-large election system. In 1977, members of the Greenwood Voters League became plaintiffs in a landmark Voting Rights Act lawsuit against the City of Greenwood, asserting that the city's form of government denied Black voters an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. This legal action was part of a broader national struggle to enforce the promise of the Voting Rights Act and dismantle entrenched barriers to fair representation. The long-term impact of the Greenwood Voters League is undeniable. Its work helped open the doors of local government to African American leadership and laid the foundation for greater political inclusion in Greenwood and throughout the Delta. Among those shaped by this movement was David Lee Jordan, an educator and civil rights advocate who went on to serve on the Greenwood City Council and later in the Mississippi State Senate, continuing the fight for voting rights, education, and equality. The Greenwood Voters League stands as a powerful reminder that democracy is strengthened when ordinary citizens organize, persist, and demand accountability. Its legacy continues to inspire new generations to protect the right to vote and to participate fully in civic life. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Greenwood Voters League for its historic contributions and enduring role in advancing justice, representation, and democratic participation in Mississippi and our Nation. ____________________