On May 8, 1925, Tom Lee rescued 32 people from the Mississippi River and became one of Memphis’ greatest heroes.
A boat carrying a group of engineers and their families, in Memphis for the
Mid-South Society of Civil Engineers convention, capsized in the strong river current.
Also traveling on the river was Tom Lee, an African-American levee worker who could not swim.
When he saw the boat capsize, he made several trips to the boat to bring the 32 people to shore.
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In 1954, Memphis dedicated the park and an obelisk
(resembling a smaller-scale Washington monument) to Lee.
An inscription on the monument described Lee as "a very worthy negro."
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Dedication ceremony
What: Dedication of the new Tom Lee statue by artist David Alan Clark
When: 10 a.m. today (10/19/2006)
Where: Tom Lee Park on Riverside Drive
The ceremony concludes a 20-year effort by Lee's family to build a visual
representation of the hero, according to Terry Watts, Tom Lee's great grandnephew.
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To honor the hero, the Memphis Engineers Club raised enough money to
purchase a house for Lee and his wife.
Two years after his death in 1952, a park along the Memphis Riverfront
was named in his honor and a granite obelisk was erected.
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The United States Coast Guard will also recognize the courageous acts of Tom Lee.
COAST GUARD TO HONOR TOM LEE POSTHUMOUSLY FOR HEROIC RESCUE ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – An award ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2008
to nationally recognize Mr. Tom Lee posthumously for saving the lives of 32 people on the
Mississippi River. The Coast Guard will present the Coast Guard Certificate of Valor to
family members of Mr. Tom Lee attending the ceremony.
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Additionally, the RDC has replaced the granite obelisk that had served as a memorial to
Tom Lee since 1952 after its destruction in the severe summer storm of 2003.
The obelisk was relocated on August 14, 2006 to its current home,
which sits opposite the new memorial in Tom Lee Park.
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Tom Lee was also the 1st African American Man to be hired by
The City of Memphis Sanitation Department.
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Since that time, Tom Lee Park has grown to a 30-acre park and is a popular location for
walkers, joggers, roller bladders and cyclists. It’s also the site of the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival,
International Barbeque Cooking Contest and other events.
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Thank you!!!