[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 22 (Monday, February 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. RUTH SIMMONS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, February 22, 2010

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize Dr. Ruth Simmons who is President of Brown University and is 
the first African American to head an Ivy League institution.
  Dr. Simmons began her life as the youngest of 12 children to a 
sharecropper in Grapeland, Texas. She spent her formative years in 
segregated Houston, and went on to complete a bachelor's degree on a 
scholarship from Dillard University in New Orleans. She completed her 
education with a master's degree and a doctorate in Romance literature 
from Harvard University.
  Today, Dr. Simmons is regarded as one of the most notable people in 
academia and academic administration. Through the years, she has served 
as Dean at Princeton University and President of Smith College where 
she was responsible for starting the institution's engineering program. 
In 2001, she became President of Brown University, and there she has 
completed a $1.4 billion initiative to enhance Brown's academic program 
entitled Boldly Brown: The Campaign for Academic Enrichment.
  Dr. Simmons recently visited Dallas where the city's Brown University 
Club hosted her at a reception. Additionally, she attended a luncheon 
at St. Phillips School and Community Center, an institution dedicated 
to enhancing the lives of children and families with low and moderate 
income. We were very privileged to have Dr. Simmons visit our city, and 
I know that her personality and character will be an inspiration to the 
countless people that were privileged to meet her.
  Madam Speaker, I encourage my fellow colleagues to join me in 
recognizing and honoring Dr. Ruth Simmons for her countless 
achievements and dedication to higher education. Additionally, I would 
like to personally thank her for visiting Dallas and inspiring people 
across our community to achieve their goals.

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