[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 5 (Wednesday, January 10, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E68-E69]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE LIFE OF DR. MARY T. CHRISTIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 10, 2007

  Mr. SCOTT of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
contributions of a citizen of the City of Hampton, who has dedicated 
her life to making her city and the Commonwealth of Virginia a better 
place to live and learn. I would like to pay tribute to the 
contributions of retired Delegate Dr. Mary T. Christian.
  In 1955, Dr. Christian graduated with highest honors from Hampton 
Institute, now Hampton University, with a B.S. in Elementary Education. 
From there she received a Master's Degree from Columbia University in

[[Page E69]]

1960, and her Ph.D. from Michigan State University in 1967.
  Dr. Christian began her civic service as a teacher at Aberdeen 
Elementary School in 1960 and held this position for 6 years before 
moving on to Hampton University. At Hampton, she started as an 
Instructor in the Education Department before becoming a Professor, 
then rose to Chair the Education Department in 1970, followed by 
becoming Dean of the School of Education in 1980, and in 1987 she 
became Professor Emeritus. Dr. Christian has been appointed to several 
committees with the Virginia Department of Education throughout her 
career.
  Dr. Christian's educational career alone is worthy of celebration. 
But outside of the classroom, Dr. Christian was an effective state 
legislator, representing the 92nd District in the Virginia House of 
Delegates from 1986-2004. She served ably on the Appropriations, 
Education, and Rules Standing Committees, and was the Co-chair of the 
Militia and Police Committee. Dr. Christian was also selected to be a 
member of various General Assembly Commissions including the Joint 
Commission on Technology and Science, the Hampton Roads Third Crossing 
Bridge Tunnel Commission, and the Commission on Access and Diversity. 
Before I came to Congress, I had the pleasure to serve with Dr. 
Christian in the General Assembly and I know her to be a skilled public 
servant who keeps the needs of her constituents paramount in her mind 
while making decisions in Richmond.
  Dr. Christian has received many awards and accolades throughout her 
career. She has been inducted into the Alpha Kappa Mu, Kappa Delta Pi, 
and Phi Beta Theta honor societies. She is an Honorary Board Member of 
the National Patient Advocate Foundation. She has received both the 
Merit Award for Community Service and the Award for Service to Youth 
from the NAACP. In 2002, Thomas Nelson Community College named the Mary 
T. Christian Auditorium after her. Dr. Christian is a member of First 
Baptist Church of Hampton and its Fellowship Choir, and is also a 
member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., as well as a life member of 
the NAACP.
  Locally, Dr. Christian was founder and leader of several civic and 
community organizations: Groups Representing Organizations United for 
Progress (GROUP); Leadership Development Caucus (LDC); Coalition for 
Community Pride and Progress (CCPP); Association for Restoration of 
Historic Cemeteries (ARHC); and Co-Chair of the Coalition for 
Preservation of the Virginia School for the Deaf, Blind and Multi-
Disabled at Hampton.
  On January 14, 2007, the Hampton Roads Community will come together 
and pay tribute to Dr. Christian for her many years of service. 
Proceeds from this tribute event will be used to establish the Dr. Mary 
T. Christian Scholarship Fund at Hampton University. I would like to 
congratulate Dr. Christian on her distinguished career of service to 
the citizens of Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth of Virginia and wish 
her well in her retirement.

                          ____________________