[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 21 (Tuesday, February 25, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING EDDIE T. PEARSON FOR 33 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING AND CONTINUED 
                 SERVICE TO DATE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 25, 1997

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, the Dade County public schools 
have declared February 27, 1997 as Eddie T. Pearson Day in honor of his 
accomplishments as one of Dade County's most outstanding educators and 
administrators.
  It is my great pleasure to join Mr. Pearson's family, friends, 
coworkers, and students in recognizing his 33 years of outstanding and 
continuous service to our community. We congratulate Mr. Pearson for 
his contributions as an educator, a role model, and a mentor who helped 
shape the lives of thousands of children in our Dade County community.
  Mr. Pearson earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Tuskegee 
Institute, a Master of Education From Florida Atlantic University, and 
a Specialist in Education degree from the University of Florida. He 
began his career as a teacher in Dade County at Bethune Elementary 
School in 1963, and then at Riverside Elementary School. In 1967, he 
was the Community School Director at Ada Merritt Junior High School 
where he was responsible for a 400 percent increase in educational 
programs, and 700 percent increase in other activities for youth and 
young adults. Mr. Pearson quickly advanced to become the Assistant 
Principal at Homestead Junior High School, and later became Principal 
of the school. He was only 26 at the time, the youngest Principal in 
the Dade County public schools, and he was the first Afro-American 
Principal of Homestead Junior High School in 1970. In addition, he 
served as the Principal of South Dade Senior High School and Homestead 
Senior High School.
  Mr. Pearson distinguished himself as an outstanding administrator as 
Executive Director of the Division of Vocational, Adult, and Community 
Education with the Dade County public schools. He also served as 
Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Vocational, Adult, and 
Community Education; Administrator on Special Assignment and Assistant 
Superintendent for Area Operations; and Regional Superintendent of the 
Region VI Operations for 8 years. Furthermore, Mr. Pearson successfully 
designed and implemented a plan that provided for the integration of 
the Homestead Middle School student body. Today, Mr. Pearson continues 
his outstanding service as Deputy Superintendent of School Operations. 
We are fortunate that Mr. Pearson has devoted his life to ensuring 
quality education for all our children.
  In addition to his many years as an educator, Mr. Pearson has been 
extremely active in other areas of our community. He served as Chairman 
of the Board of Directors of the YMCA, and now continues to serve on 
the Board of Directors of the YMCA, Miami ``Mega-City'' Special 
Olympics, Pan AM Horizons Credit Union, and United Way of Dade County. 
His exceptional, notable service, and commitment to Dade County has 
included dozens of positions in numerous organizations, earning more 
awards than I can list here.
  Mr. Eddie T. Pearson has proven to be an excellent role model for our 
children. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my entire community and as a former 
educator myself, I offer him my deepest thanks for his many years of 
dedicated service, and our best wishes for his continued success.

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