[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2270]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF CARLTON A. FUNN, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Mr. MORAN of Virignia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this 
opportunity to recognize Mr. Carlton A. Funn, Sr., a distinguished 
teacher and contributor to the preservation of Africa-American history 
in Virginia and throughout the nation.
  Mr. Funn's life's work and passion began in 1947 as a seventh grade 
student at Lyles-Crouch School in Alexandria, Virginia. Reading his 
Virginia history textbook, he noted the absence of any reference to the 
contributions and achievements of African-Americans in Virginia 
history. Upon his return to Lyles-Crouch School ten years later as a 
seventh grade teacher, Mr. Funn was dismayed to find that the same 
textbook was still being used. Motivated by this discovery, Mr. Funn 
began to collect memorabilia and artifacts that reflected African-
Americans' contributions to Virginia and the United States.
  What started as a small collection has grown into a large exhibit 
highlighting the contributions to our national history of African-
Americans, and other minority groups. Mr. Funn's exhibit has been shown 
in eleven different states on more than 380 occasions. This display is 
truly an inspiration to young people and adults alike.
  Mr. Funn has served our region as an educator for more than 42 years, 
first as a teacher in the Alexandria School system, then in Fairfax 
County, and currently with the D.C. Public Schools. He was recently 
honored as the Mid-Atlantic Region recipient of the 1998 Excellence in 
Teaching Award presented by the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. 
This very competitive award honors teachers who instill a thirst for 
knowledge in African-American children.
  Mr. Speaker, I am grateful for the contribution that Mr. Funn has 
made to the education of children in my district, and children 
throughout the nation. Thanks to the work of Mr. Funn, students in 
communities all over the nation have been able to appreciate the 
contributions that African-Americans and other minorities have made to 
American history.

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