“My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Jefferson Thomas. As we mourn his death, we also remember his life and his accomplishments. His courage and perseverance helped create opportunities for generations of African Americans and moved America closer to fulfilling its democratic ideals of equality, fairness and justice for all.”
“Jefferson Thomas was one of the Little Rock Nine, a group of nine African-American students who enrolled at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1957. Central was the largest high school in Little Rock, and like many schools at that time throughout the United States, especially in the South, it had no Black students. Although the Supreme Court decision in the Brown v. Board of Education case was issued in 1954, many communities took no action to implement the changes and open their schools to all students.”
“There was such fierce opposition to the desegregation of Central that President Eisenhower had to send soldiers to the school to ensure the Little Rock Nine would have access and be safe. Jefferson Thomas and his peers encountered much hostility, prejudice, bigotry and hatred when they enrolled at Central. They endured insults and faced threats of violence. However, Jefferson Thomas maintained his poise and kept his sense of humor.”
“I am proud that my colleagues and I in the House of Representatives voted in 1998 to award the Congressional Medal of Honor to Jefferson Thomas and all of the Little Rock Nine.”
“I hope that all Americans – and students and young people especially – who might not be familiar with the name Jefferson Thomas or remember the era in which he lived and the struggles he faced will take a moment to learn about him and reflect on the significance of what he accomplished.”
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