[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO DR. HAZEL HAWKINS-RUSSELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 10, 1997

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I take the floor of the House today to 
honor and praise a magnificent educator and leader. I am proud to have 
her working in my district, continuing the tradition of educational 
excellence in our community. She is an outstanding advocate for 
increasing educational opportunities for minorities and those with 
special needs. The woman of whom I speak so highly and hold in such 
high esteem is Dr. Hazel Hawkins-Russell, who has persisted tirelessly 
with her work in education for 50 years. Dr. Hawkins-Russell has been a 
tremendous influence and positive role model for the youth of 
Riverside, CA.
  Back in 1947, Dr. Hawkins-Russell made history as the first African-
American school teacher to be hired in what was then known as the 
Riverside city schools. For the next 23 years, she taught both 
elementary and junior high schools where she touched the lives of all 
of her students. Her enthusiasm and positive spirit served as an 
inspiration, and every student left Dr. Hawkins-Russell's class with a 
little piece of her in their hearts.
  In 1970, after her career as a teacher, Dr. Hawkins-Russell became a 
consultant for the Pupil Services Department of the Riverside Unified 
School District. It was her responsibility to have an extensive 
knowledge of all California laws relating to minors. She provided 
technical assistance to schools in all discipline cases, prepared each 
case for hearing panels, and worked extensively with youth groups and 
services. Dr. Hawkins-Russell's mission was to help children who were 
having problems and prevent them from slipping through the cracks 
unnoticed or ignored.
  From 1974 to 1982, Dr. Hawkins-Russell was the coordinator of the 
Emergency School Aid Act, a federally funded program that provided aid 
in remedial math and reading, as well as programs in multi-cultural 
awareness, human relations, tutorial assistance, staff development, 
parent effectiveness training, and conflict resolution. She was 
selected three times to assist in evaluation of ESAA proposals on a 
national level here in Washington, DC, and once on a regional level in 
San Francisco.
  Aside from her job, Dr. Hawkins-Russell was actively involved with 
several organizations that are devoted to improving education. She was 
president of the Association of California Intergroup Relations 
Educators, worked as interim co-director at Riverside NAACP Child 
Development Centers, and was a member of the Western Riverside County 
Mental Health Association and the Attorney General's Commission on 
Racial, Religious and Minority Violence. She also served on the State 
library steering committee as a representative of San Bernardino, 
Orange, Inyo, and Riverside Counties and was elected as a delegate for 
the State of California to the White House Conference on Libraries and 
Information Services.
  Let me add to this amazing list of achievements by mentioning a few 
honors she has received. She has been recognized with the ACIRE 
Presidents Award, the YWCA Award for Outstanding Community Leadership, 
a certificate for outstanding service at the First National Human 
Relations Conference, the Derby Club Outstanding Black Woman Inland 
Area Trophy, and most recently, the Ida Louise Jackson Graduate 
Achievement Award presented by Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
  Dr. Hawkins-Russell continues to work in education as an adjunct 
faculty member at Riverside Community College. Dr. Hawkins-Russell's 
drive for excellence is a rare commodity, and she has touched the lives 
of many during her 50-year career as an educator. I am extremely 
privileged to have such an exceptional person serving the youth in my 
district. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Dr. Hawkins-
Russell for her 50 years of hard work and the accomplishments she has 
made for education in my district, as well as the Nation. She has set a 
standard for community service and leadership that will remain for 
years to come. I hope that Dr. Hawkins-Russell will continue to be an 
advocate for children and quality education. I wish her happiness and 
good luck in her future endeavors.

                          ____________________