[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 38 (Monday, March 30, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E514-E515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  DR. NAPOLEON B. ``PAPA BEAR'' LEWIS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 30, 1998

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is with deep 
sadness that I stand to offer my condolences to the family of

[[Page E515]]

Dr. Napoleon Lewis of Dallas, Texas. Dr. Lewis was a good friend of 
mine and a role model to generations of students at Lincoln High School 
in Dallas.
  On Friday, March 27, 1998, Dr. Lewis passed away at the age of 76, 
leaving a long legacy of love and concern for his students at Lincoln 
High. Indeed, Dr. Lewis was recognized nationally for his outstanding 
leadership of Lincoln High School in south Dallas.
  He earned his bachelor's degree in biology from Morgan State College 
in Baltimore in 1945. While he wanted to earn his master's degree at 
the University of Maryland, only 15 minutes from his home, the school 
did not admit blacks into its graduate programs. Therefore, he was 
forced to attend New York University during the summers and even 
commuted a couple of semesters by bus for Saturday classes, beginning 
his journey at 2 a.m. in Washington.
  He supplemented his salary during those days by doing odd jobs, never 
complaining, never stopping and always striving.
  In 1980, Lincoln High School was ranked second from the bottom in the 
Dallas school district. Students were not challenged and they never 
envisioned a life of success in college and the workforce. When Dr. 
Lewis was brought from Washington, D.C. to be named principal at 
Lincoln, he made caring for students a priority and preparing them for 
college a reality.
  By the time he retired in 1997, the seniors at Lincoln established a 
record of attending the best colleges in America, including such 
schools as Northwestern and Howard.
  Dr. Lewis was known and respected for his high standards of 
discipline, his values and his high expectations for his students. Dr. 
Lewis improved Lincoln's library, strengthening the school's 
broadcasting curriculum and, most impressive, increased the students' 
achievement scores.
  Many times, individuals do not expect some of our young African-
American youth to meet high standards and to have high goals. My 
friend, Dr. Lewis, raised our expectations of the students and showed 
them how to set and accomplish goals that they never dreamed possible. 
He pressed for replacing remedial subjects at Lincoln with physics and 
advanced math, subjects much more fitting for our students preparing to 
meet the challenges the 21st century.
  All of us who care about the educational opportunities of our 
children in the Dallas area will miss the faith and discipline that Dr. 
Lewis brought to the work of educating Dallas' students.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Lewis started his educational career in Washington, 
D.C. where he began developing his successful formula for shaping the 
minds of young students. Dr. Nolan Estes, superintendent of Dallas 
Schools recruited him to Dallas as part of a national search to help 
reform the district and how it did business in teaching our children.
  The way that he reformed Lincoln High School and influenced its 
children to reach for the stars reflected his own path to learning. He 
did not grant excuses or breaks to his students, because he knew that 
life offers little success to those who are not willing to fight, 
struggle and persevere.
  On behalf of the many students whose lives he has touched and 
influenced, I would like to say that we will miss his unbounded 
generosity and concern for their futures. His years of guidance and 
devotion to the Dallas area students will never leave our hearts and 
minds, and he will forever leave a mark in our community.

                          ____________________