COMMISSION makes final call for race riot survivors

<br>TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ A committee that investigated the 1921 Tulsa race riot put out a final call Monday for survivors to identify themselves. <br><br>Survivors have until Oct. 1 to be included on the

Monday, August 27th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) _ A committee that investigated the 1921 Tulsa race riot put out a final call Monday for survivors to identify themselves.

Survivors have until Oct. 1 to be included on the official survivor list being compiled by the Survivors Committee of the Tulsa Race Riot Commission. The law that created the commission requires the list to be certified by Oct. 1.

There are currently 127 living riot survivors, said commission member Eddie Faye Gates. She said many of those are frail and elderly. Two additional survivors died last week.

The violence broke out May 31, 1921, and ended the next day with the burning of the black Greenwood business district. The estimated death toll ranged from three dozen to 300.

The commission recommended reparations that included payments to living survivors and survivors' descendants, a scholarship fund, an economic development zone and a memorial.

State lawmakers approved a bill aimed at revitalizing the Greenwood District and set up a scholarship fund. But state law prevented them from considering direct payments to survivors.

A grassroots group called the Tulsa Reparations Coalition wants city and county leaders and others to consider paying reparations.

Gates said any survivors who wish to be included on the list or anyone who knows of a survivor to include should contact her at 918-583-6494, or by writing to 2260 N. Main, Tulsa, OK 74106, or by e-mail at www.tulsa-riot.com