[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2856]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN RECOGNITION OF ALTHEA THOMPSON THOMAS

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                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 1, 2009

  Mr. ROGERS of Alabama. Madam Speaker, I would like to request the 
House's attention today to pay recognition to Althea Thompson Thomas of 
Montgomery, Alabama.
  Mrs. Thomas currently serves at Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist 
Church as the church's organist. In June of 1955, she was hired by Dr. 
Martin Luther King, Jr., and from her unique vantage point seated in 
the organ pit, she was able to witness his sermons each Sunday with an 
up close and personal view of the pulpit.
  Mrs. Thomas is an accomplished composer, musician, artist, writer and 
educator. She has written and arranged musical pieces throughout her 
life and published musical compositions including four musical dramas, 
eleven books of piano works, three books of organ works and 25 choral 
works.
  She has served as organist for several churches and her artwork has 
been exhibited across Alabama and the Southeast.
  Over the years, she taught band, choral music and art in the 
Montgomery Public Schools and taught art, organ, piano, music theory 
and appreciation at Alabama State University and Alabama State 
Laboratory High School. She most recently worked at Alabama State 
University as an Adjunct Professor. Since 1982, she has taught piano, 
organ, wind instruments, percussions and guitar at the Thompson Legacy 
Studios (House of the Arts).
  She is the daughter of the late H.O. Thompson and the late Faustine 
Hilliard Thompson. She is married to Wiley Thomas, Jr. and the mother 
of 6 children.
  Mrs. Thomas has touched the lives of children and adults alike 
through her teaching, and I commend her for her dedication. I 
congratulate her on being honored at Dexter Avenue Memorial King 
Baptist Church for her contributions to the arts.

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