[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 120 (Thursday, September 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1517]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E1517]]



  HONORING EMMITT WILLIAMS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE 
                     DOWNEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 4, 1996

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize my good friend, Emmitt 
Williams, an educator at South Middle School of the Downey Unified 
School District. Emmitt is retiring after nearly 40 years of dedicated 
service educating generations of our youth. A strong and reliable 
advocate for public schools, Emmitt has worked tirelessly to ensure 
that our youth are provided the best possible education.
  Born in Emory and educated in Alba, TX, Emmitt earned his bachelor of 
science and masters of education from North Texas State College. He 
began his career as a teacher in 1957 at Alamo School, in the Dallas 
Independent School District. In 1958, Emmitt moved to California where 
he began teaching in the Downey Unified School District, at Spencer 
Williams Elementary, Downey Elementary, and later at South Middle 
School.
  Dedicated to advocating for our children, schools, and teachers, 
Emmitt has held many positions within the Downey Education Association, 
California Teachers Association [CTA], and the National Education 
Association [NEA]. In the Downey Education Association he has been a 
faculty representative, committee chair, member of the board of 
directors and elected six times to serve as president. Also, he has 
been president of the CTA Southeastern Regional Resource Center [RRC]. 
In the CTA Southeastern Section he has been active as a member of the 
board of directors and vice president. At the State level of the CTA, 
he has held positions as a member of the board of directors, election 
committee, liaison committee, and the State council. Within the NEA, 
Emmitt has been a representative to three international conferences, a 
member of the board of directors, resolution committee, and three times 
chosen to be the chairman of the host committee.
  Emmitt's years of unwavering commitment earned him the respect and 
admiration of his students, colleagues, and the community. He has 
received the Honorary Service Award, Continuing Service Award, and the 
Golden Oak Award from the Parent Teachers Association. Emmitt has also 
received the Award of Distinction from the Teacher Education Department 
at Tyler Junior College, local and State Who Awards by the CTA, 
Representative Teacher Citation from the Downey Masonic Temple, Teacher 
of the Year from the Downey Women's Club, the Christa McAuliffe Award, 
and the Southeastern RRC Gold Award.
  While maintaining an active role in education, Emmitt has been a 
member of the board of directors for the Long Beach Playhouse, 
volunteer at the Long Beach Civic Light Opera and South Coast 
Repertoire, honorary life member of the Downey Kiwanis Club, member of 
the Downey Democratic Club, Hubert Humphrey Democratic Club, charter 
member of the Downey Historical Association, and chair of the Student 
Exchange Program and the Downey-Guadalajara Sister City Program. He has 
received the National Town Affiliation Award from the American 
Municipal Association in Washington, DC, a Commendation of Outstanding 
Community Service from the city of Downey, and four student-sponsored 
youth awards from the Downey Kiwanis Club.
  Mr. Speaker, on August 18, 1996, teachers, administrators, former 
students, and community members gathered to honor Emmitt Williams for 
his contributions to the field of education and to the community. It is 
with pride that I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting this 
exceptional man for his outstanding record of educational service to 
our young people.

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