Lipscomb, 74, opted to testify for himself in the federal conspiracy trial which began last week in Amarillo. Many familiar faces from Dallas, including Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, Councilwoman Barbara Mallory Caraway and Councilwoman Maxine Thornton-Reese, appeared in the courtroom to support Lipscomb as the defense prepares to close their case. Also in attendance were attorney Demetris Sampson, businesswoman Bernice J. Washington, political consultant Kathy L. Nealy and Joyce Ann Brown, president of MASS, Inc. Kirk, who sighed heavily and tried to hold back tears while Lipscomb spoke of segregated time in Dallas, was one of the character witnesses called in to attest to Lipscombıs nature. Dr. Zan W. Holmes, pastor of St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church, Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, Liz Minyard of Minyard Food Stores, Inc., former City Councilman Al Gonzalez and Herb Kelleher, CEO of Southwest Airlines, were also character witnesses.

Lipscomb told of his early years in Dallas and how he became involved in the struggle. After being honorably discharged from the Army/Air Force in 1954, Lipscomb said he returned home to find the South African flag flying next to the American flag at the State Fair of Texas. That was one of the first things that promoted his immediate involvement in the struggle, he said.

"I just knew that wasnıt right," he said, as he often stopped to gather his composure.

After he met with the late Robert Cullum, then-President of the State Fair, and was successful in having the South African pavilion removed from the fair grounds, Lipscomb said he committed himself to improving the quality of life for African Americans in Dallas.

In order to support his wife, Lovie, and their eight children, Lipscomb said he accepted help from other interested parties while he continued to fight battles which advanced equality for minorities in Dallas.

"It was a way of life," he said, adding that he thought his commitment to the community and his actions in the Civil Rights Movement would speak for him if his lack of steady work was ever called into question.

Lipscomb stated he could understand how not disclosing financial support from people, including Floyd Richards, owner of Yellow Cab of Dallas, could be misconstrued and misunderstood.

However, Lipscomb said he had grown accustomed to confidentiality throughout the years and continued that practice with Richards. "Confidentiality" was used to "protect" whites, and even some African Americans, who were assisting those involved in the Movement. Fear of being outcast or ostracized was one of the reasons many whites didnıt want their financial gifts to be known to others. Lipscomb even held back tears as he stated that when a person became involved or committed to the struggle he or she would eventually have to challenge people in positions of power which would probably lead to unemployment.

He testified he would handle the disclosure differently if given the opportunity to avoid his current predicament.

"I would dot every Œiı and cross every ŒtıŠto prevent clouds of impropriety from hanging over me," he said.

Lipscomb was expected to complete his testimony Thursday morning. After Lipscomb, the defense is expected to rest their case. Closing arguments are expected to begin later that afternoon.

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