[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 34 (Thursday, March 4, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S2271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO MISS RUBY McGILVRAY BRYANT: AN UNSUNG AMERICAN HEROINE

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, today Miss Ruby McGilvray Bryant of Jackson, 
Mississippi, was recognized by the Mitsubishi USA Foundation and PBS 
Television's ``To the Contrary'' as one of America's four Unsung 
Heroines.
  ``Miss Ruby,'' as she is lovingly called, has served her Mississippi 
community for the better part of three decades. She has been 
instrumental in creating a number of programs to help physically and 
mentally challenged children and adults.
  It all started thirty years ago when Miss Ruby looked for a way to 
give disabled children and adults a camp experience similar to the one 
other campers were enjoying. Working with the Mississippi State Park 
system, she created a one-week summer camp program full of activities 
including a beauty pageant where everyone wins--everyone gets his or 
her moment in the spotlight. With the help of Dream Catchers, a 
volunteer organization serving the disabled, campers also get to 
experience the thrill of horseback riding. Miss Ruby even went the 
extra mile by helping to raise the money needed to send a number of 
children and adults to this special camp. However, her efforts did not 
stop there. She also organized a number of other activities throughout 
the year such as hayrides and banquets.
  Miss Ruby also fostered the development of the ``the Mustard Seed,'' 
a local residential home in Brandon, Mississippi, for disabled persons 
to live when their parents have passed away. The Mustard Seed teaches 
``life skills'' so the disabled can be what they want most, independent 
and productive individuals.
  She was also the driving force behind ``Calvary Care,'' a program 
that provides all-day activities for the physically and mentally 
challenged in a safe and loving environment. Participants are taken on 
field trips to such places as the zoo or the museum. They also have an 
opportunity to share fun and fellowship, to experience the small things 
in life that many of us take for granted. This program also helps 
parents and other loved ones gain some much-needed time for themselves. 
``Calvary Care'' attracts families from as far as 100 miles away 
because there is no similar program.
  ``Lady Talk,'' another of Miss Ruby's successful programs, is aimed 
at women who have little or no contact with the outside world. Many of 
its participants are former residents of mental institutions who have 
been long forgotten or abandoned by family members. Miss Ruby takes 
these women to a church facility for a day full of activities and 
social interaction. She makes sure that each woman is well fed and 
clothed and that each woman has someone to listen to their needs and 
problems.
  As the director of the Sunday school special education program at 
Calvary Baptist Church since 1969, Miss Bryant has ensured that 
mentally and physically challenged individuals learn the Bible's 
teachings and play an active role in the ministry. Here, the children 
refer to her as ``Sweet Momma.''
  Miss Ruby is an inspiration to us all. She teaches us that kindness, 
love, and patience are strong virtues. That self sacrifice is its own 
reward. That all of us, regardless of our abilities, are God's children 
and deserve respect and dignity. Most importantly, Miss Ruby is a 
shining example of how one person truly can make a positive difference 
in the life of so many others.
  Miss Ruby is a heroine for Mississippi and heroine for America--for 
everything she has accomplished on behalf of the disabled and 
everything she will continue to do.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in paying special tribute to Miss Ruby 
McGilvray Bryant for her thirty years of dedicated service to the 
physically and mentally challenged, and their families, and for being 
recognized as an Unsung American Heroine.

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