[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 61 (Thursday, April 26, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S2813]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DOROTHY INGHRAM

 MRS. BOXER. Mr. President, I am honored to remember the life, 
accomplishments, and service of Dorothy Inghram, a pioneer who was 
California's first African American school district superintendent and 
San Bernardino County's first African American school teacher and 
principal. Ms. Inghram passed away at her San Bernardino home on March 
14 at the age of 106.
  Dorothy Inghram was born on November 9, 1905, the youngest of Henry 
and Mary Inghram's seven children. While at San Bernardino Valley 
College, Ms. Inghram wrote the school's alma mater and later 
transferred to Redlands University to complete a bachelor's degree in 
music in 1936. She began her teaching career in Texas but later 
returned to California and accepted a teaching position in the Mill 
School District. For the next 3 decades, she devoted her life to 
education and literacy in the community.
  Over the years, Ms. Inghram's professional contributions have been 
acknowledged on many occasions, including numerous awards, a city-
proclaimed Dorothy Inghram Day, and a library named in her honor. Most 
rewarding to her personally, however, were the admiring and grateful 
former students who credited her with helping them recognize 
undiscovered talents and sparking interests that led to successful 
careers.
  I ask my colleagues to join me, and her grateful community in 
honoring the life and trailblazing legacy of Dorothy Inghram.

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