[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO HON. DOUGLAS ``TIM'' JAMERSON--A GREAT FLORIDIAN AND A GREAT 
                                AMERICAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 26, 2001

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the 
late Douglas L. ``Tim'' Jamerson, the former Florida Education 
Commissioner, Labor Secretary, and state legislator who died of cancer 
this past Saturday at age 53.
  I will not recount his incalculable, enormous contributions, other 
than to say that without Doug Jamerson, Florida would be much less than 
it is today. Without Doug Jamerson Florida would not be one of the 
greatest state's in this union.
  Mr. Jamerson understood that he was the first African American to 
serve as Florida's Commissioner of Education. He understood that gave 
him an obligation beyond his own race. He understood that Floridians 
would be looking at what he did very carefully, but he also understood 
that his role was that of doing what he could to improve education in a 
far more universal sense. Through his many efforts--as Education 
Commissioner, Labor Secretary, and State Legislator, guidance counselor 
and friend, he improved the quality of life for millions of Floridians, 
many more who were not Black, and not the least of them women.
  Doug Jamerson, throughout his life, reminded us that Florida is a 
state of opportunity, and America is a country of great promise, but 
that that promise and opportunity has not yet been totally fulfilled. 
Doug reminded us all that we all have a duty to help our state and our 
nation fulfill its true promise.
  The words of the great poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his eulogy 
to Charles Sumner, apply equally to Doug Jamerson. Wadsworth said:

       Were a star quenched on high for ages would its light still 
     traveling downward from the sky shine on our mortal sight so 
     when a great man dies for years beyond our ken the light 
     behind lies upon the paths of men.

  Douglas Jamerson is a uniquely special individual who was a 
thoughtful and a principled public servant whose life will serve as a 
reminder of everything that we must all strive to become. He has taught 
us all, that its not how many years you live, but what you accomplish 
in the years you have. Doug Jamerson accomplished much in his 53 years.

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