[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 153 (Monday, November 29, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1992]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING MR. EDWARD L. BLACKSHEARE, SR. FOR HIS COUNTLESS 
          CONTRIBUTIONS TO EDUCATION AND THE SANFORD COMMUNITY

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 29, 2010

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate 
my dear friend, Mr. Edward L. Blacksheare, Sr., on being honored by the 
Crooms Academy Alumni Association, Inc. at its first-ever ``Legacy of 
Hope and Love Banquet.'' This ceremony will honor Mr. Blacksheare's 
distinguished career as an educator and his countless contributions to 
the Sanford community. Mr. Blacksheare has always welcomed the 
challenge to serve the underserved, and it is this devotion that has 
earned him recognition from the Crooms Academy Alumni Association.
  Mr. Blacksheare carries himself with integrity, respect, and 
dedication in everything he does for his profession and community. A 
look into his background shows just how successful he has been on both 
of these fronts. As a Sanford, Florida native, Mr. Blacksheare attended 
Crooms Academy, graduating in 1943. After college, Mr. Blacksheare came 
back to Sanford and began his career as an educator at Oviedo High 
School. In 1948, he returned home to Crooms Academy as a teacher, which 
marked the beginning of a long and illustrious career. Mr. Blacksheare 
was appointed assistant principal in 1960 and was elevated to principal 
in 1964. After serving as principal for 21 years, Mr. Blacksheare took 
a position with the Seminole County School Board before retiring in 
1992 with 43 years of service in education.
  In addition, Mr. Blacksheare is also a proud Kappa man. He was a 
great role model for me and others in our community, serving Kappa 
Alpha Psi Fraternity in many leadership roles. In fact, I became a 
Kappa at Fisk University because of Mr. Blacksheare. When he found out 
that I had pledged Kappa at Fisk University, he was so excited. Years 
later, when I was nominated for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity's highest 
award, the Laurel Wreath, he wrote one of the first letters to the 
Laurel Wreath Committee on my behalf. Brother Blacksheare truly knows 
the meaning of PHI NU PI.
  Mr. Blacksheare is a man of great faith and excellent character. He 
is a man known for his many good works and his love for his students, 
family, and friends. As a Crooms Academy alumnus, I am grateful for the 
many years of guidance and leadership Mr. Blacksheare devoted to my 
alma mater. He has always displayed selfless compassion and a desire to 
help those around him. A student in the Class of 1976 described Mr. 
Blacksheare as, ``a man of great strength and patience . . . a 
principal who is interested in today's youth, concerned with our 
welfare and our school.'' I can think of no one else more deserving of 
this tremendous honor, which will be bestowed upon him at the ``Legacy 
of Hope and Love Banquet.''
  Madam Speaker, it is truly a privilege and an honor for me to 
recognize Mr. Edward Blacksheare, Sr., for his dedication to education, 
Crooms Academy, its students, and the Sanford community as a whole.

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