[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 97 (Thursday, June 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE OPENING OF ELLA MAE GRATTS SHAMBLEE LIBRARY IN FORT 
                              WORTH, TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2008

  Mr. BURGESS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the grand 
opening of the Mrs. Ella Mae Gratts Shamblee Library in the city of 
Fort Worth, Texas. On Friday, June 13, 2008, elected officials, clergy, 
historians, stakeholders, residents and visitors will gather to 
celebrate this opening and the library named in her honor.
  At a time when African-Americans were not allowed to sit in libraries 
or drink from ``public'' water fountains, Mrs. Shamblee, the city's 
first African-American librarian, interceded and acted as an agent of 
change by providing books to those who otherwise may not have been able 
to visit the city's library. Mrs. Shamblee repeatedly carried boxes of 
books and rode on streetcars and buses to deliver them to the African-
American community of South Fort Worth.
  Through continued public service, Mrs. Shamblee became a pillar of 
the community and provided library services at establishments such as 
Stevens Grocery Store, a nursery school and the Federations Women's 
Club. Her enthusiasm in creating an atmosphere of education and 
knowledge resulted in her pioneering the library's bookmobile which was 
the forerunner of the city's branch libraries.
  The Shamblee Library will serve as an epitome of advancements made in 
providing access to information to all residents in the city of Fort 
Worth, and particularly the Evans/Rosedale and Terrell Heights 
neighborhoods. Incorporated into the design of the historic Tommy 
Tucker building, the Shamblee Library is the cornerstone of the Eva & 
Rosedale Business and Cultural District and an edifice to the long-
anticipated Southeast Fort Worth renaissance.
  Today, I join with the entire city of Fort Worth community in 
recognizing the significance of this occasion and to pay tribute to the 
grand opening of the Ella Mae Gratts Shamblee Library.

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