[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 53 (Thursday, April 15, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. MARGARET WADE-LEWIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 15, 2010

  Mr. HINCHEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis whose remarkable contributions to African 
American equality in the United States should be noted for the record.
  In 1974, she joined the Black Studies Department at State University 
of New York at New Paltz where she worked to enrich the lives of 
thousands of students until her death late last December. The passing 
of Dr. Wade-Lewis is a major loss for the department, the college and 
the New Paltz community. Her contributions to our state's education 
system and history can be traced through her life achievements.
  Dr. Wade-Lewis was born in Haskell, Oklahoma and remained in Oklahoma 
for her childhood and collegiate years. She attended Langston 
University, where she obtained a bachelors and masters degree in 
English. She later attended New York University and, from there, was 
the first African American woman to graduate with a Ph.D. in 
Linguistics.
  During her tenure at SUNY New Paltz, Dr. Wade-Lewis' commitment to 
her students was unparalleled. She was involved in a variety of 
organizations, including the African Women's Alliance, The New Day 
Theatre Ensemble, and the New Paltz Voices of Unity Gospel Choir. She 
was also an advocate for student scholarships, which resulted in 
hundreds of students receiving financial support to attend and graduate 
from SUNY New Paltz.
  Some of the most prized achievements of Dr. Wade-Lewis include being 
the longest serving Chairperson of the Department of Black Studies, 
which under her leadership obtained national recognition. Additionally, 
she administered the Affirmative Action Program, and held the lead 
position on the Scholar's Mentorship Program, which provided mentoring 
and networking opportunities for high achieving students of color and 
interested students of all ethnic groups. The program succeeded in 
promoting an increase in performance levels and retention rates for 
students of color at New Paltz.
  Dr. Wade-Lewis was a friend and mentor to many in the community of 
New Paltz. She was a pioneer who incorporated Black Studies into many 
aspects of the University's curriculum. Her programs drew nationwide 
acclaim and attention to inequalities in education. I would like to 
recognize all of Dr. Wade-Lewis' achievements throughout her life and 
take this opportunity to express my belief that her memory and 
achievements will live on for many years to come.

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