Political Quotes

“Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize an exemplary Arkansan, Scipio Africanus Jones. Scipio Jones was born into slavery in Arkansas in 1863. Throughout his life, he attended Black schools near his hometown, eventually earning his bachelor's degree from Arkansas' own Shorter College. Although there were no schools for African Americans to study law in Arkansas, Scipio took on the challenge himself and began studying independently and, in 1889, passed the Arkansas Bar. He began his career in Pulaski County and, in 1900, was admitted to the Arkansas Supreme Court. In 1919, 12 Black sharecroppers had been sentenced to death for their alleged role in the Elaine Massacre, while 87 other defendants also awaited trial. Scipio Jones' primary goal was to secure a fair trial for the 87 defendants. After his partner's unexpected passing, he became the lead attorney in the appeals process for the 12 defendants who had been sentenced to death. Of the 12 original sharecroppers who had been sentenced to death, charges were dismissed against six, while the other six had their sentences commuted. The remaining 87 defendants received pardons from the Governor of Arkansas. Following these immense legal victories, Scipio Jones remained an advocate for the Black community across Arkansas. In recognition of his advocacy, the United States Post Office in downtown Little Rock was named in his honor in 2007.…”