[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 68 (Tuesday, June 6, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S4557]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN MEMORY OF DR. WALTER WASHINGTON

  Mr. LOTT. Mr. President, today I rise to remember an admirable person 
and a devoted educator, Dr. Walter Washington. Dr. Washington served as 
a classroom teacher, assistant principal, Dean of Utica Junior College, 
President of Utica Junior College for twelve years, and served as 
President of Alcorn State University from 1969 to 1994. Dr. Washington 
retired as President of Alcorn State University on June 30, 1994, and 
was subsequently named President Emeritus by the Mississippi Board of 
Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning.
  During his tenure as both an educator and administrator, Dr. 
Washington was a leader in the State of Mississippi and throughout the 
country. He was a mentor to all who met him, and he set a high standard 
for his successors. His impact on Mississippi was evident in his work 
as a representative of the state on several national commissions.
  As a man of many talents, he served on the Advisory Council of the 
National Urban League's Black Executive Exchange Program and the U.S. 
President's Advisory Council on Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities. In 1982, he was awarded the Outstanding Presidential 
Cluster Citation by President Ronald Reagan.
  Dr. Washington was a member of several professional organizations, 
including Kappa Delta Phi, Phi Delta Kappa, and Alpha Kappa Mu Honor 
Society. He served as president of the Mississippi Teachers Association 
and held membership in the Mississippi Association of Educators and the 
national Education Association.
  Dr. Washington married his college sweetheart, the former Carolyn 
Carter, in 1949. In addition to his devotion to his wife, he was 
involved in many community organizations. Dr. Washington received the 
Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America, the Distinguished 
Service Award and Distinguished Alumni Award from Peabody College, and 
the Service to Humanity Award from Mississippi College. He was listed 
among Ebony's 100 Most Influential Black Americans in 1974, 1975, and 
1976, and was selected Mississippi Man-of-the-Year in Education in 
1981.
  Dr. Washington passed away on December 1, 1999, but his legacy will 
live on as an eternal flame. I was deeply saddened to hear the news of 
his death.
  Dr. Washington's reputation for hard work and academic excellence set 
an example which will continue to inspire greatness in the men and 
women of Mississippi. Such a reputation is the greatest tribute to a 
man's life. His insight on predicting the needs of future students 
helped to mold Alcorn State University into one of Mississippi's great 
universities.
  Mr. President, Mississippians and Americans are grateful for Dr. 
Washington's public service, and I commend him for his leadership and 
accomplishments.

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