[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 129 (Thursday, September 23, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WILLIAM AND ELISE WINTER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 2010

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the outstanding contributions made by the Honorable William and Mrs. 
Elise Winter in the fields of education and race relations in the State 
of Mississippi.
  Mr. Winter served as governor for the State of Mississippi from 1980 
to 1984. Mr. and Mrs. Winter have been long-time advocates for public 
education, racial reconciliation, and historic preservation. Mr. Winter 
served as a member of President Clinton's National Advisory Board on 
Race, and was instrumental in founding the William Winter Institute for 
Racial Reconciliation at the University of Mississippi. In 1989, he 
became the first holder of the Eudora Welty Chair of Southern Studies 
at Millsaps College and was awarded the Profile in Courage Award by the 
John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in 2008.
  During his tenure, both he and his wife were instrumental in passing 
the 1982 Mississippi Education Reform Act. The 1982 Mississippi 
Education Reform Act was credited with building stronger elementary and 
secondary education systems throughout Mississippi and the South. Under 
this act, teachers received pay increases, compulsory school attendance 
was mandated, teacher and school accreditation became based on school 
performance, and kindergarten was mandated for public schools in 
Mississippi.
  Mrs. Elise Varner Winter, a native of Senatobia, Mississippi 
graduated from Senatobia High School. She completed her postsecondary 
education at Northwest Junior College and the University of 
Mississippi, where her academic focus was history.
  Her civic and public service activities include advocacy for 
education. A member of the Mississippi Easter Seal Society, Mrs. Winter 
also served as President of the official Mississippi Women's Club and 
Chair of National Library Week. Additionally, she is a member of the 
board of trustees of Rust College, a trustee of the Synod of Mid-South 
of the Presbyterian Church and was the first woman elder of Fondren 
Presbyterian Church of Jackson. She is also very active in Habitat for 
Humanity--Metro Jackson.
  Not only were Governor and Mrs. Winter very instrumental in education 
reform for the State of Mississippi but they have brought leadership, 
vision, and voices of reason to the State of Mississippi. Madam 
Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues please join me in honoring 
Mr. and Mrs. Winter for their many contributions in public education 
and racial relations in the State of Mississippi.

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