[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 25 (Thursday, February 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO U.S. AMBASSADOR SPEARMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 14, 2008

   Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I pay 
tribute to the life of Leonard H.O. Spearman, an outstanding individual 
who served as ambassador to two African countries and later headed an 
advisory board to historically black colleges, who passed away on 
January 16, 2008, at the age of 78 in Katy, Texas.
   Leonard Hall O'Connell Spearman, Sr., was a native of Tallahassee, 
Florida, and a 1947 graduate of what is now Florida A&M University, 
where he played cornet in a band that included saxophonist Julian 
``Cannonball'' Adderley.
   At the University of Michigan, he received a master's degree, 1950, 
and a doctorate, 1960, in clinical psychology. He was a psychology 
professor and a dean at Southern University in Baton Rouge before 
moving to Washington in 1970 to work for the old Department of Health, 
Education and Welfare. He spent 9 years at HEW, helping shape the 
educational opportunity programs for disadvantaged students, as well as 
Federal student loan programs.
   Later, he served as U.S. ambassador to Rwanda and Lesotho during the 
administration of President George H.W. Bush.
   After leaving his ambassadorial posts, he taught educational 
administration at Texas Southern until 1998. From 1993 to 2001, he 
chaired the nonprofit organization, Rural Electrification for African 
Development, which advocated solar technology in African villages. Dr. 
Spearman was honored for his work in education and public service by 
the National Council of Negro Women among other groups.
   I ask my colleagues to join me in extending our condolences to the 
family of Ambassador Spearman, his wife of 57 years, Valeria Benbow 
Spearman, and three children, Lynn Dickerson of Baton Rouge, Leonard 
H.O. Spearman, Jr., of Katy, and Charles M. Spearman of Alexandria, 
Virginia; a brother, Rawn W. Spearman, Sr., of Virginia Beach; two 
sisters, Olivia Parker of Washington, DC, and Agenoria Paschal of 
Miami, Florida; and seven grandchildren.
   Ambassador Spearman was a true American hero whose accomplishments 
are a testament to his humanitarian spirit.

                          ____________________