[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 77 (Thursday, May 30, 1996)]
[House]
[Page H5738]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF COACH ELVIN J. JAMES, GOLDSBORO, NC

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from North Carolina [Mr. Jones] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. JONES. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize the accomplishments of an outstanding individual from eastern 
North Carolina, Elvin J. James.
  Elvin James is the head football coach at Goldsboro High School, in 
my district in North Carolina. Recently, USA Weekend Magazine honored 
Coach James with its ``Most Caring Coach Award, 1996.''
  Without a doubt, education is an issue that is critically important 
to the future of our country. Though we spend more money on education 
than any other country in the world--$27 billion to be exact--our 
students' test scores and literacy levels have steadily declined.
  It is becoming more and more clear that we must return education to 
parents, local communities, and especially to teachers. Mr. Speaker, it 
is a teacher like Coach James, who goes that extra mile, who dedicates 
so much of himself to his students, that brings this message home.
  Coach James is a living example of where hard work and dedication can 
take you in this world. Coach James grew up in Beaufort, NC, and was 
adopted by his grandmother, Jennie James, who supported him and eight 
other children by working as a maid.
  She admits to this day that the family had very little, but Jennie 
James taught her children right from wrong.
  Her continuing message, ``Get an education, work hard, be 
respectful,'' had a great impact on Coach James' life.
  Coach James excelled in football and other sports during his school 
years. In 1974, he was awarded an athletic scholarship by Elizabeth 
City State University in North Carolina, to play football and to pursue 
a college education.
  Unable to pay for his expenses, James left school and joined the U.S. 
Army. After serving 4 years, he returned to college and earned a degree 
in education.
  He has been teaching ever since. Coach James currently lives with his 
wife Mary Kay, their daughter, Ashelyn and their son, Elvin Jarrod.
  Mr. Speaker, Elvin James is worthy of our recognition for more than 
just this. During the past 10 years, Coach James had helped more than 
50 students earn college scholarships, and helped numerous students 
stay in school.
  He spends countless hours on the phone talking with college coaches 
about potential candidates. Many times a year, Elvin James travels from 
State to State, taking students on campus visits and trying to 
introduce them to opportunities, they never dreamed were possible.
  Since he began, Coach James has put more than 80,000 miles on his 
car. He has spent more than $3,000 of his own money, and given up more 
than 45 of his sick and vacation days to take these players on 
recruiting trips.
  Less than a half-dozen of these players would have received 
scholarships if it had not been for these trips.
  Coach James doesn't stop here. James is there for each student, 
literally, every step of the way; helping them prepare for the SAT or 
helping them fill out their college applications.
  On several occasions, when parents were unable to take their children 
to college, Coach James was the one who took them and helped them move 
in. He has even let students with family troubles move in for a while, 
until things at home got worked out.
  Coach James works in a school that serves many disadvantaged 
students. Many of his students come from broken homes. By many of 
society's standards, the odds are against these children's success.
  However, Coach James is a great motivator, who encourages students to 
believe in themselves, even when no one else does. When Coach James 
looks at these children, he sees wonderful young men and women, who, if 
given the opportunity, will become outstanding and productive citizens.
  Mr. Speaker, for more than 14 years, Elvin James has been touching 
the lives of young people. He deserves this award and our praise 
tonight.
  Coach Elvin James, USA Weekend Magazine's Most Caring Coach, 1996, is 
an example of what is truly right with our education system. Our 
country and especially our children need more teachers and parents, 
just like Coach James.
  I am proud to recognize Coach James, as a symbol of all the men and 
women who have dedicated their lives to education, and who care so much 
about our children's future.

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