WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman French Hill (AR-02) attended the Elaine Massacre Memorial Dedication Ceremony in Helena, Arkansas. The dedication ceremony commemorates the 100-year anniversary of the Elaine Massacre of 1919— the deadliest racial confrontation in Arkansas history and possibly the bloodiest racial conflict in the history of the United States.
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| Pictured above: At Sunday's ceremony, Congressman Hill speaks with Brian Miller (center right), District Judge of the Eastern District U.S. District Courts and member of the Elaine Memorial Committee. Judge Miller's great uncle was Leroy Johnston, a World War I veteran and victim of the Elaine Massacre. |
"The story of the Elaine Massacre is one of the darkest and most tragic chapters in Arkansas's history," said Congressman Hill. "It has left a profound impact on the soul of our state that can still be felt 100 years later. However, history teaches us that we can learn from our past. We have an opportunity today with this memorial to write a new chapter in Arkansas's history that recognizes the legacy of this tragedy, honors the victims, and seeks to heal longstanding wounds. For my part, I’m proud to be the sponsor of two bills that seek to accomplish these goals.”
H.R. 3317, Scipio Jones Post Office Portrait Act
"One of the heroic stories that emerged from the ashes of the Elaine Massacre was that of Scipio Africanus Jones, one of the greatest lawyers in American history. Jones' skillful legal defense saved the lives of 12 unfairly charged sharecroppers from the Elaine Massacre who were originally sentenced to death by an Arkansas state court. Jones' actions resulted in the landmark Supreme Court decision in Moore v. Dempsey establishing that federal courts could review criminal convictions in state courts under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. To honor his legacy, I'm proud to be the sponsor of legislation authorizing a portrait of Scipio Jones to be displayed at the U.S. Post Office in Little Rock that bears his name.” |
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H.R. 2249, the World War I Valor Medals Review Act
"While nothing can replace what was lost during the Elaine Massacre, we can always work to right the injustices of racial discrimination. That is why I introduced the World War I Valor Medals Review Act, inspired by a victim of the Elaine Massacre, Private Leroy Johnston (pictured below, far right). Like many during World War I, Private Johnston was a victim of discrimination and was denied service medals he earned but did not receive. With the help and research of Dr. Brian Mitchell, a professor of history at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, I had the honor to present the long overdue service medals to the family of Private Johnston. The World War I Valor Medals Review Act would review the military records of all minority service members of the Armed Forces during World War I, like Private Leroy Johnston, to determine if they should be awarded the Medal of Honor. I’m proud to work with my House colleagues to ensure that all who served in WWI are honored with the recognition they deserve.”
