[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 44 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H2085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING JOSIE GRAY BAIN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Ms. Watson) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Ms. WATSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Josie Gray Bain, 
a brilliant woman who was a dedicated wife, mother, and pioneer 
educator, who I had the distinct honor to work with closely when I 
served on the Los Angeles School Board.
  Josie Gray Bain was born in Atlanta, Georgia, where she attended 
elementary and high school. Shortly after graduation from high school, 
she met and married Reverend John C. Bain of Los Angeles. In the fall 
of 1930, Josie Bain relocated to Spring Hill, Tennessee, where she and 
her husband began their first ministerial appointment. Their son, John 
David, was born soon thereafter. Both Josie and her husband enrolled at 
Drake University, where Josie received her B.S. degree with honors and 
continued to do graduate work there.
  In 1942, Josie Bain moved with her husband to Los Angeles, 
California. She completed her graduate studies at California State 
College in Los Angeles, Immaculate Heart College, and the University of 
Southern California.
  In 1948, she began her career in education with the Los Angeles 
Unified School District as an elementary schoolteacher at Marianna 
Avenue Elementary School. After teaching several years, she was 
promoted to positions of ever-increasing responsibility. Josie ended 
her brilliant career as Associate Superintendent of Instruction, the 
first African American in the history of the Los Angeles Unified School 
District to be appointed to the position.
  Josie Bain was an active member of several professional and civic 
organizations, including Delta Kappa Gamma, Education Sorority; Delta 
Sigma Theta, Education Sorority; National Council of Negro Women; the 
Urban League; United Methodist Women; and the National Association for 
the Advancement of Colored People. She founded and served as president 
of the Interchange For Community Action, which provided scholarships 
for many disadvantaged minorities for more than two decades.
  Josie Bain devoted her life to her family, God, community, and her 
church. She lived her life with style, grace, integrity, and vitality. 
Her dedication to helping children was recognized by all those whom she 
touched, and her accomplishments were evidenced by numerous awards and 
honors bestowed upon her throughout her life.

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