[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 137 (Monday, September 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JAMES GATLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 17, 2007

  Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life 
and educational career of James Gatlin and to acknowledge his 
contributions as a mentor and role model to generations of Tampa Bay 
area students.
  Raised in Tampa, Florida, James Gatlin witnessed great changes in 
education throughout his life. He attended Middleton High, a black 
segregated high school, and quickly realized the importance of 
education. Gatlin recounted tales of receiving tattered books in school 
and being forced to sit in the back of public buses. Public education 
is the grand equalizer among people in our great country and he 
witnessed and valued black and white students learning side-by-side in 
the classroom and cheering together at the school's football games.
  James Gatlin attended Florida A&M University where he received his 
Bachelor's degree and later was awarded a Master's degree in Education 
from the Tuskegee Institute. He began his 45-year educational career in 
the Hillsborough County schools in 1963, teaching agricultural courses 
at Bethune School. In 1972, he served as Dean of Students at Buchanan 
Junior High School, and six years later, Gatlin was appointed 
Principal. In 1984, he became the popular Principal of Chamberlain High 
School and my principal as a high school student. He held this post for 
ten years until 1994, when he was appointed General Director of 
Technical and Career Education. In 1989, he became aware that many 
black students were not graduating and began a mentoring program that 
included tours of university campuses. Gatlin was also a strong 
believer in helping students not attending college to find employment. 
He was promoted to general area director of Area II schools in 1997 
until he retired in 2003. His leadership was needed, however, and 
Gatlin returned to education and served as assistant principal for the 
Meacham Alternative School in 2004. He accepted his final position as 
principal of his alma mater, Middleton High School, in August 2005, a 
great joy for him personally, but a greater benefit to all who 
experienced his dedication and service there.
  ``Gat'' as he was called by those who knew him best, lived by the 
motto that ``education makes life better''. Many students took his 
motto to heart, and admired him for his strength of character as well 
as his genial spirit. Students admired his humorous spirit as well. He 
dressed up as the mascot during pep rallies and danced at homecoming 
events. Every year, Gatlin held a popular and delicious barbecue for 
the senior class. A former student remembered Principal Gatlin saying, 
``He just made school fun''.
  The entire Hillsborough County community honors and remembers the 68 
year life of James Gatlin, and we offer condolences to his wife Evelyn 
as well as his sons James III, Marcus, and Brent. James Gatlin molded 
the lives of generations of students through his dedication to 
education and to the community as a whole. His example will continue to 
live through those that worked with him and those who learned from him.

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