Capitol Words a project of the Sunlight Foundation

Rep. Bennie Thompson

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an institution noted for its resounding leadership, the Greenville Industrial College of Greenville, Mississippi.

Greenville Industrial College was founded in 1904 by Greenville native, Reverend Dr. A.B. Bolden. Dr. Bolden, along with other community pioneers purchased the land for the Greenville Industrial College from Dr. E.P. Brown and his family in the early 20th century.

The two-story brick building was located in the African-American community of ``Brown's Addition'', named after Dr. E.P. Brown. It was under the leadership of Dr. Bolden that the first chapter of this dynamic organization's history began.

The mission of the Greenville Industrial College is to provide African-American students with the necessary skills to make a successful transition to post secondary education or work, and to prepare these students to successfully compete in a global market. Since the 1900s, the college has offered career and technology programs which include theology, masonry, carpentry and machinery.

The college has produced many prominent members of society which include the famous Bishop Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, Willie Richardson of the National Football League Baltimore Colts, and Walter Jake Turnbull, founder of the Harlem Boys Choir.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the Greenville Industrial College for its remarkable work in developing our citizens, our economy, and the great state of Mississippi.