[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E394]]
                TRIBUTE TO DR. ETHEL M. HENDERSON TAYLOR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Ethel 
M. Henderson Taylor, on the occasion of her retirement after 58 years 
in broadcasting. Ethel Taylor's 58 years in broadcasting, 51 years in 
public education and a lifetime of community service is a testament to 
her commitment to excellence and her personal belief that service to 
others is the key to happiness in life.
  Dr. Ethel Taylor is the first female African-American radio announcer 
in South Carolina. Her voice was the first one heard on Columbia's 
heritage radio station WOIC--where she served in multiple capacities 
for 44 years. Mrs. Taylor then joined the staff of Glory 
Communications' WFMV/95.3 where she has hosted Golden Gospel Memories 
for the past 14 years.
  Ethel Taylor used her barrier breaking achievement with WOIC in the 
1950s, to connect WOIC with its African-American listeners and the 
community at large. She quickly made headway in the African American 
community with her weekly Saturday morning show A Date with Ethel. The 
program drew hundreds of listeners through its skillful mix of soulful 
music, highlights of community events, and its warm down-home feel that 
listeners could connect to throughout the midlands. Throughout her 
career, Dr. Taylor received numerous awards for her broadcast and 
community accomplishments.
  A native of Laurens, SC, Ethel Taylor brings great pride to my home 
state. She is a 1946 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Benedict College, 
taught english in the Richland County Public School system for 30 
years, earned her masters of education degree in english from the 
University of South Carolina, and now serves as assistant professor of 
english at Benedict College. Throughout these years, she served on 
numerous faculty and community boards in many roles of leadership.
  Along the way, Mrs. Taylor and her deceased husband, John B. Taylor, 
raised nine children. She is a grandmother of 15 and great-grandmother 
to 4. Mrs. Taylor celebrates her 85th birthday on March 27, 2008.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in honoring the 
great lifetime achievements of Mrs. Taylor. Today. her retirement from 
broadcasting only means that Dr. Ethel M. Henderson Taylor is poised to 
write another chapter in her phenomenal story of service to God, her 
family and community. I wish her continued success and Godspeed.

                          ____________________