[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 24, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E187-E188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO ELBIE J. HICKAMBOTTOM, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2004

  Mr. SCHIFF.  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solemn remembrance of Elbie 
J. Hickambottom, Sr., who passed away on the evening of December 31, 
2003.
  Elbie Hickambottom began his life in Okmulgee, OK, in 1924. In 1925 
his family

[[Page E188]]

moved to Pasadena, CA, where he grew up and attended Pasadena public 
schools. As a young adult he attended Pasadena City College and though 
his education was interrupted by his service in the military, he 
continued his academic pursuits at USC and completed his BA degree from 
the University of Omaha.
  Mr. Hickambottom served in the U.S. Army during World War II and at 
19 years old was one of the youngest first sergeants in Europe. He was 
recalled by the Army during the Korean war and commissioned as a second 
lieutenant. After 20 years of distinguished service, he retired in 1967 
with the rank of major. During his career, he was awarded many 
decorations including twice receiving the Medal for Outstanding Service 
and three times the Army Commendation Medal. Elbie was a past commander 
of the Pasadena chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars and a 
recipient of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Patriot of the Year 
Award.
  After Elbie's military retirement, he joined the Pasadena 
Redevelopment Agency in 1967 where he served as director of Relocation 
and Property Management, managing programs that assisted displaced 
families and small businesses. He subsequently worked as senior vice 
president of Municipal Services, Inc. a private redevelopment 
consulting firm from which he retired in 1985.
  In 1979 Mr. Hickambottom was elected to the Pasadena Unified School 
District Board of Education, where he served until he retired from the 
board in 1994. A champion for excellence in education and a strong 
voice for improving academic achievement for all students, particularly 
for disadvantaged and minority students, Elbie was often the conscience 
of the school board. He was an active member of the California 
Coalition of Black School Board Members, where his tenure included 
holding office on the Executive Board.
  A dedicated community volunteer, Elbie participated in many 
organizations, including the NAACP, the Pasadena Educational 
Foundation, Young and Healthy, the Pasadena Commission on Children and 
Youth, Project Day, ROTC, and various other civic groups.
  Elbie is survived by his wife of 52 years, Dolores, his children, Ann 
Marie, Elbie Jr., Leslie and John, sisters Verdia Arnold and Wilmer 
Lane, niece Robin Foster, sister-in-law Agnes Brumfield, two brothers-
in-law, Joseph Arceneaux and Oscar Dupre II, and many other nieces, 
nephews, cousins, and beloved friends.
  I would like to convey my deepest sympathies to Elbie's family and 
friends, as well as extend my heartfelt thanks for his many 
contributions to the community. Elbie J. Hickambottom, Sr., will be 
missed by all who knew him.

                          ____________________