[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 158 (Monday, November 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JOSEPHINE TRIPLETT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. WILLIAM M. THOMAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Sunday, November 9, 1997

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, the African-American Network of Kern County 
hosted its seventh annual Community Awards Night on November 8, 1997 
and selected several outstanding Kern County citizens in recognition of 
their lifelong efforts to improve the way of life that thousands of 
people, young and old, black and white enjoy.
  The recipient of this year's Frederick Douglas Leadership Award is 
Mrs. Josephine Triplett, a friend and associate from our days together 
at Bakerfield College. Josephine Triplett is the recipient of an award 
named after an American hero who believed in freedom for all people in 
America, who helped Harriet Beecher Stowe establish an industrial 
school for young people, who after meeting with President Lincoln 
during the Civil War built two regiments of black soldiers including 
his two sons, and who supported voting rights for women.
  Josephine Triplett's worthiness of the Frederick Douglass Leadership 
Award can be found in his writings when he said: ``The whole history of 
progress of human liberty shows that if there is no struggle, there is 
no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom and yet deprecate 
agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground; want 
rain without thunder and lightning; want the ocean without the awful 
roar of its many waters.'' Josephine Triplett is an agitator, a quiet 
one perhaps, but she manifests a clear commitment to children, to 
women, to those in need. As a professor of child development at 
Bakerfield College, she has been an advocate for infant nutrition and 
early childhood instruction. She works tirelessly at training college 
students to pursue these same goals as they go beyond the academic 
degree. The care and concern she has for others are obvious from the 
moment her warm personality and ready smile are in your presence.
  Josephine Triplett has a distinguished record with the Martin Luther 
King, Jr. Center as well as serving as the curator of the Allenworth 
State Historic Park. She has assisted with the Southern California 
Association for the Education of Young Children and has many, many more 
worthy organizations that she lends her time and commitment and 
seemingly limitless energy.
  Josephine Triplett is one of those Americans who is a leader at home, 
but often through quiet bearing, is not recognized. We salute her.

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