[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 127 (Tuesday, September 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: September 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   TRIBUTE TO DR. CLAUDIA H. HAMPTON

                                 ______


                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 1994

  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in tribute to a dear friend and 
distinguished educator, Dr. Claudia H. Hampton, who passed on August 
13, 1994. Renowned for an outstanding career as an educator and as the 
first African-American to serve on the California State Board of 
Trustees, Dr. Hampton's innumerable contributions to the field of 
education leave a lasting legacy for the citizens of the State of 
California. I am proud to share the following retrospective on the life 
of this great educator and friend.
  Dr. Claudia Hampton began her career as a teacher and elementary 
school counselor in the Chicago, IL, school system. Moving west, she 
attended graduate school, earning both her masters and doctorate 
degrees from the University of Southern California. Shortly thereafter, 
she began teaching in the Los Angeles Unified School District [LAUSD]. 
She remained with the LAUSD for two decades during which time her 
positions included supervisor of Child Welfare and Attendance, director 
of Community Relations for the Office of Urban Affairs, and director of 
the Human and School Community Relations Resource Office.
  In 1974, while serving as an adjunct multicultural education 
professor at Pepperdine University, Dr. Hampton was 
appointed to the board of the California State University [CSU] and 
College System by then-Governor Ronald Reagan. In 1979, she opened up 
still another vista by becoming the first woman to serve as chairperson 
of the board. Dr. Hampton served on the CSU board for 20 years, and was 
also a key figure on the board of governors of the California Community 
Foundation.
  Her influence extended nationally as a presidential appointee to the 
Advisory Panel on Financing Elementary and Secondary Education; she was 
also a member of the Commission for the Review of the Master Plan for 
Higher Education. In recognition of her exemplary achievements, San 
Diego State University set up a scholarship in her name from 1976 to 
1981. In 1993, former CSU trustee William D. Campbell and his wife 
Linda established the Claudia H. Hampton Scholarship Fund to help 
deserving inner-city students attend college.
  Dr. Hampton's participation in community service projects reflected 
the same devotion evidenced in her professional endeavors. Just a few 
of the organizations of which she was a proud member are the National 
Council of Negro Women; State board of managers, California Congress, 
PTA; board of directors, Metropolitan YWCA; executive committee, Los 
Angeles branch of the NAACP; Women on Target; the American Association 
of University Women; and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 
Additionally, Dr. Hampton was deacon of the consistory at Park Hills 
Community Church.
  Deservedly so, Dr. Claudia Hampton was the recipient of accolades 
from many organizations. The Association of Governing Boards honored 
Dr. Hampton with the ``1994 Distinguished Award in Trusteeship,'' 
marking the first time that the California State University system was 
so recognized. She was awarded resolutions of commendation from the 
California State Senate, the Assembly, and the Los Angeles City 
Council. Dr. Hampton also received an award of appreciation from the 
Republic of Korea's General Counsel. She has been honored by the Los 
Angeles Council of Black Professional Engineers, the National Coalition 
of 100 Black Men, and the Los Angeles African-American Women's 
Political Action Committee.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in recognizing and applauding the distinguished career of this 
outstanding educator. Dr. Hampton was devoted to providing more 
educational opportunities to children and she spent a lifetime 
dedicated to that goal. She leaves a lasting legacy for all educators 
to emulate. I am pleased to celebrate her life and on behalf of the Los 
Angeles community, I say thank you Dr. Claudia H. Hampton for your 
contributions to the children and citizens of the State of California. 
I join her daughter, Kathryn Wallace; her brother General Hudley, Jr.; 
and other family members and friends in celebrating the life and 
accomplishments of this renowned and distinguished educator.

                          ____________________