[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 174 (Tuesday, November 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2462]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 TRIBUTE TO GEORGIA LORETTA JONES ELAM

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 25, 2003

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Georgia 
Loretta Jones Elam, a resident of the Sixth Congressional District, and 
a longtime friend of mine and my family.
  Born and raised in Hartsville, South Carolina, Mrs. Elam finished her 
elementary education in record time and entered my alma mater, South 
Carolina State College, now University, at the tender age of 14. After 
her dreams of becoming a Chemist were thwarted because of gender 
stereotypes of the 1920's, she entered the field of Home Economics. 
Upon graduating with her Bachelors degree, Mrs. Elam taught at South 
Carolina State College where most of her students were older than she. 
She went on to Columbia University in 1949 where she earned her 
Master's. Throughout her career, Mrs. Elam taught at seven institutions 
in the State of South Carolina. Most notably, she taught for 31 years 
at C.A. Johnson High School in Columbia, South Carolina. She also 
participated in workshops to further her education at University of 
Georgia, Winthrop College, and the University of South Carolina.
  It was during her tenure at C.A. Johnson High School that Mrs. Elam 
started the first day care center in a public school in South Carolina. 
It was her innovative idea to give her Child Care and Development 
students the opportunity to have them care for real children instead of 
dolls that led her to start the day care center. Also while at C.A. 
Johnson, Mrs. Elam served as Head of the Home Economics Department, 
advisor to the New Homemakers of America--the predecessor of Future 
Homemakers of America--the cheerleads, the pep squad and the modern 
dance club.
  Always a leader, be it in her professional life or that of her 
community, Mrs. Elam was given the Teacher of the Year award by the 
South Carolina Home Economics Association in 1975. She was also honored 
with a Distinguished Service Award by the Association of Vocational 
Home Economics Teachers in 1978. And, giving further credence to her 
merits as a leader, Mrs. Elam was named Boss of the Year in 1979 by the 
Midlands Chapter of the American Business Women's Association.
  While this lively 90-year-old worked in the field of Home Economics 
for over half a Century, her dedication goes far beyond the parameters 
of her job requirements. Mrs. Elam has been an ardent community leader 
and continues to be very active in her church, Bethel A.M.E. She has 
been involved in numerous political campaigns over the years, and never 
turns down an opportunity to volunteer with church programs that have 
anything to do with youth or her congregation. Mrs. Elam has served as 
Director of Christian Education, which meant leading vacation bible 
school for many years, and also served as leader of the scouting 
program, and sponsor of the Young People's Gospel choir which she 
founded. For many years, she presented ``Golgatha,'' a religious 
pageant which she wrote and directed.
  In 1995, Rev. Ronnie Brailsford made her a Steward at Bethel A.M.E. 
Her actions of devotion to others, particularly the young people in her 
community, should be an inspiration to us all.
  Mrs. Elam is the widow of Leon M. Elam. She has one daughter, Loretta 
E. Taylor who is married to John B. Taylor of Wilmington, Delaware; 
three grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Mrs. Elam also has two 
siblings, Elise Martin and Gottleib Harvest, both of Columbia, South 
Carolina, where Mrs. Elam herself now resides.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in honoring 
Georgia Loretta Jones Elam for her selfless dedication to citizens, 
particularly young people, across the State of South Carolina. She is a 
pillar of the community, and I wish her good luck and Godspeed.

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