[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 135 (Saturday, November 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO MRS. TANNER JOHNSON LIVISAY

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. NICK J. RAHALL II

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 2004

  Mr. RAHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a woman who 
had a very distinguished career as a State extension specialist in the 
State of West Virginia Mrs. Tanner Johnson Livisay. Mrs. Livisay was a 
retired State extension specialist and associate professor at West 
Virginia University and was a resident of Princeton, West Virginia. 
Mrs. Livisay graduated in 1923 from the former Douglas High School in 
Huntington, West Virginia and later went on to earn her Bachelor of 
Science degree in home economics from West Virginia State College in 
1927. She then taught in Jefferson and Wyoming counties for the next 14 
years. Mrs. Livisay earned her Masters degree from West Virginia 
University and completed further studies at Merrill Palmer Institute in 
Detroit, Michigan, University of Michigan, University of Cincinnati, 
Cornell University and Colorado State University. In 1941, Mrs. Livisay 
began her work as a home demonstration agent in West Virginia. Her 
territory included Mercer, McDowell and Cabell counties in my district. 
She organized home and garden clubs, 4-H clubs, and established the 
West Virginia State Farm Homemakers Council, under the auspices of West 
Virginia State College, West Virginia University and the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture. She was the district home demonstration 
agent and became program development leader. After 27 years in the 
Extension Service, Mrs. Livisay retired as a specialist in child 
development and human relations. A personal account of the work of the 
West Virginia Extension Service for African-Americans is recorded in 
the book, ``Reaching Out with Heart and Hands--The Memories of An 
Extension Worker,'' written by Mrs. Livisay in 1994.
  A diamond soror and life member, Mrs. Livisay was initiated into Nu 
Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. in 1925. She was a charter 
member of Epsilon Delta Omega Chapter in Beckley, West Virginia and at 
the time of her death, she was a member of Eta Iota Omega Chapter, in 
Inkster, Michigan. Mrs. Livisay, was the proud mother of four children, 
Carolyn L. McGhee, Marilyn L. Stewart, Jackson P. Livisay, Jr. and 
Osborne Livisay.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored today to pay tribute to the late Mrs. 
Tanner Johnson Livisay, for her many accomplishments and achievements 
and the legacy she leaves for her family and the great State of West 
Virginia, and in particular, my third congressional district.

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