[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 151 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JAMES D. BECK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CORRINE BROWN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 20, 1998

  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. 
James D. Beck, a friend and former college professor of mine. He was a 
brilliant and outstanding educator who devoted his extraordinary career 
to creating new frontiers in counselor education as a psychologist 
while serving his community and being dedicated to his wife and family. 
Dr. Beck was a giant in his field and one of the most distinguished 
professors in the history of Florida A&M University.
  Dr. Beck was born in McCarley, Mississippi on May 25, 1925. He 
departed this life August 13, 1998, at the age of 73, leaving behind a 
legacy of precedents to be remembered. Dr. Beck began his educational 
experiences in the Carroll County public schools of Mississippi and 
completed high school in Grenada, Mississippi. He then attended Jackson 
State University in Jackson, Mississippi, but received his Bachelor of 
Arts Degree in Philosophy and Religion from Fisk University, Nashville, 
Tennessee in 1950. In 1951, he received his Master's Degree in Guidance 
and in 1959 a Doctorate in Education from Indiana University. During 
the time between his master's and doctorate degrees, he served our 
country in the Korean War as a soldier in the Army Signal Corps, 
receiving an Honorable Discharge in 1954. After fulfilling his duty to 
his country, he returned to the field of education as the Dean of Men 
at Jackson State University. Following a short period at Jackson State 
University, he moved on and propelled his career becoming Professor of 
Counselor Education and Chairman of the Department of Educational 
Leadership and Human Services at Florida A&M University. From 1966 to 
1968, he served as the Director of the Desegregation Center and 
Professor of Counselor Education at the Western Kentucky University. 
After his service to Western Kentucky, he returned to Florida A&M 
University in 1968 to serve as professor of Counselor Education and 
once again became Chair of the department. Until his health required 
him to withdraw from administrative duties, Dr. Beck chaired his 
department for 30 years. He served as Professor of Counselor education 
until his death.
  He will be remembered by thousands of students who recall his 
traveling throughout the state teaching extension courses long before 
the interstates and turnpikes were a part of our lives. He traveled 
roads up and down the state spreading goodwill for Florida A&M 
University, emphasizing ``Excellence With Caring'' for our present and 
new educators. Moreover, The Heart Transplant Support Group, his 
favorite among many affiliations, will remember his diligent support to 
them after he became a heart transplant recipient in 1988. His family 
will recall the moments they spent together growing flowers and 
vegetables, feeding ducks, and attending football games near and far. 
Dr. Beck will also be remembered for being considerate and 
compassionate, and for always having a positive word about others. He 
leaves to us his wife Jacqueline Bolden Beck, who shared 41 years of 
marriage, his daughter Juanda Beck-Jones, and granddaughter Elizabeth 
Anne Jones who I am sure are very proud of him and his accomplishments 
as a family man and professional.
  As a former student of his, I am proud to pay tribute to the life and 
legacy of this great man.

                          ____________________