[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 136 (Wednesday, September 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE LIFE OF MR. WILLIAM SANDERS, EDUCATOR, COMMUNITY LEADER 
                            AND BUSINESSMAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 14, 2011

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the life of educator and community leader, William Sanders. Mr. Sanders 
was born March 27, 1928, in Monticello, Mississippi.
  Upon graduation from McCullough High School in Lawrence County, Mr. 
Sanders continued his education at Alcorn College, where he played 
basketball. While attending Alcorn, Mr. Sanders was called to fulfill 
his military duties and later completed his degree in Agriculture 
Research. Mr. Sanders served in the Army in the 31st Artillery Brigade 
and was stationed in Alaska during his tour. Additionally, he was 
assigned to the Special Services. He was honorably discharged from the 
Army at the rank of Sergeant.
  Mr. Sanders's first professional job was as an educator in the 
Jefferson County School District, where he also served as principal, 
assistant principal and football and basketball coach. He would go on 
to teach in the Hattiesburg and Brookhaven School District, and 
concluded his career in education with the Hinds County School 
District. Mr. Sanders worked towards a master's degree during the 
summers in Boston and Indiana Universities. Mr. Sanders was the Chief 
Financial Officer for the first Head Start Program in the state of 
Mississippi, the Child Development Group of Mississippi (CDGM).
  Mr. Sanders did not limit his education to the classroom; he remained 
active in his community, socially and politically, as well as 
entrepreneurially. Upon leaving CDGM, Mr. Sanders successfully, owned 
and operated the Delta Drive Texaco service station in Jackson, 
Mississippi, where his greatest satisfaction was employing others in 
his community. He was an industry pioneer and received several awards 
in recognition of his shrewd business sense.
  Mr. Sanders married Emma Dunbar Sanders and had six children. He and 
his family were actively involved in the Civil Rights movement and made 
enormous sacrifices in an effort to amplify the voice of oppressed 
blacks in the segregated south. His actions helped shape future civil 
rights policy in the segregated south and advance the rights and 
freedoms of African Americans.
  Mr. Sanders, a loyal Democrat, was actively involved in local, state 
and national politics. He attended the Democratic National Conventions 
in New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and most recently the 2008 
Democratic Convention in Denver where Senator Barack Obama received the 
Democratic Party's nomination. He took great pride in the election of 
the first African American president and viewed this as a logical 
result of the Civil Rights Movement.
  Again, I ask that my colleagues please join me in saluting the life 
and legacy of educator, community leader and businessman Mr. William 
Sanders.

                          ____________________