[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 18, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    THE PASSING OF EUGENE A. GILMER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 18, 2003

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, with great sorrow, I call to the attention 
of the House, the passing of one of Michigan's great educators, Eugene 
A. Gilmer. His family has lost a loving, devoted husband, and father; I 
have lost a dear friend and constant inspiration; Detroit has lost a 
giant.
  Eugene Gilmer left us on June 13, 2003, at the age of 79. He had 
compiled an outstanding career as an educator and community activist. 
After serving with great distinction overseas in the Army during World 
War II, he graduated from Wayne State University. Determined to 
overcome racial bias in hiring educators, Eugene drove a bus until he 
won a teaching position. After that, there was no holding back his 
talent, his dedication and his spirited drive.
  In addition to his commitment to educating Detroit's youth, Eugene 
was equally dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of African 
American history. While serving as principal at the Sampson Elementary 
and Fitzgerald Elementary Schools, he played a key role in the founding 
and funding of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History 
and then served on its Board of Directors. Over the years, the Wright 
Museum became one of the Nation's leading institutions preserving an 
appreciation of the tribulations, as well as the contributions of 
African Americans.
  It is now commonplace for public officials to pledge allegiance to 
slogans like ``quality education for all'' and ``no child left 
behind.'' Decades before these principles became popular sound bites, 
however, they were the cornerstones of Eugene's educational philosophy 
and his professional goals.
  Eugene never lowered his standards of excellence, nor accepted 
excuses for students who failed to achieve their potential. At the same 
time, he knew better than most that education was the essential ladder 
of higher aspirations. He firmly held that ladder and showed 
generations of students how to climb it.
  His wisdom, guidance and leadership enriched the lives not only of 
thousands of students, but also of countless Michigan teachers and 
educational administrators. While Eugene would not compromise the 
principles that informed his career, he applied them with compassion 
and gentleness, in equal measure.
  Eugene's total commitment to the improvement of education in 
Metropolitan Detroit flourished against the larger landscape of his 
social activism, and participation in the political process. He 
regarded both as the higher calling of a citizen and thought of neither 
as a nuisance or as simply an avenue for self-promotion. Detroit 
residents from all walks of life knew this about Eugene, and loved him 
for it.
  Our thoughts are with his family: with Margaret Gilmer, his beloved 
wife of 56 years; his daughter, Crystal; his son, Eugene; his eight 
grandchildren, and his three great-grandchildren.
  Eugene Gilmer contributed immeasurably to his fellow human beings. He 
will be sorely missed. I salute his memory.

                          ____________________