[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E984-E985]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DORETHA ADAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a wonderful 
educator who has devoted her career to giving our young children a 
literal head start in life. Mrs. Doretha Adams is retiring after more 
than 35 years of teaching, and I join with those celebrating her 
extraordinary career.
  Mrs. Adams knew when she attended college in Columbia, SC. that 
children were going to be an important part of her future. She 
graduated from Allen University in 1965 with a bachelor of science 
degree majoring in science and minoring in physical education. She also 
earned a therapeutic recreation degree from Benedict College along with 
a child development certification. She continued her education at the 
University of Georgia and South Carolina State University where she 
completed a master's degree in early childhood education.
  Mrs. Adams's career in education began in 1965 at Central High School 
in Amherst, VA, where she taught science and physical education. She 
also found time to coach the Girls Varsity basketball team for 3 years.
  However in 1969, she returned to Columbia, SC, and served as a 
substitute teacher in Richland School District One. As a parent, Mrs. 
Adams found a new career when she enrolled her first child at Ridgewood 
Headstart Center in 1972 and became a volunteer and the PTA president. 
Her enthusiasm for the Headstart program was evident, and the following 
year she was offered a position as a Headstart teacher with the Midland 
Community Action Agency, which later became the Midland Human Resource 
Development Commission. There she flourished in the classroom

[[Page E985]]

as she helped prepare young children for the rigors of school and 
helped mold their characters.
  Throughout her life, Mrs. Adams has had a passion for writing. She is 
well known for her love of poems, many of which have been published. 
She also shares her poems with family and friends for funerals, class 
reunions, and family reunions. Currently she is working on a book about 
her mother's life, which she hopes to have published.
  This love of writing led Mrs. Adams to explore another area of 
teaching and in 1987 she took over the Richland School District One 
Writing Lab at Eau Claire High School. For 5 years, she enjoyed sharing 
her love of writing with students; however, the tug of young children 
soon pulled her back to her roots in the Headstart program.
  In 1992, Mrs. Adams became the center coordinator/teacher at the 
Lexington Headstart Center. She remained in that capacity until earlier 
this month when she officially retired after an amazing career in 
education.
  Throughout her career, Doretha Adams has enjoyed the support of her 
family, husband George N. Adams and their three children. Today she has 
four grandsons and a great grandson.
  She has also been guided through life by her faith. Mrs. Adams has 
been a member of First Nazareth Baptist Church for more than 50 years 
and serves on the Senior Missionary Society. She is also a member of 
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the Ladies Auxiliary Club at the VFW 
Post 4262.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Mrs. Doretha Adams for her dedication to and love for education. She 
has been a wonderful role model and good influence on countless young 
lives, and I offer her best wishes and God speed upon her retirement.

                          ____________________