[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 100 (Friday, June 29, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1193]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN CELEBRATION OF HOWARD E. JEFFERSON'S 75TH BIRTHDAY

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                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 29, 2012

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the 
75th birthday of a respected community and business leader, Howard 
Jefferson. Born in Mississippi, on this day in 1937, Mr. Jefferson rose 
from humble beginnings to preeminence in Houston, Texas.
  He excelled in school, graduating from Southern University with a 
Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. In 1962, he was the recipient 
of the prestigious Academic Year Fellowship in Science and Mathematics 
from the University of Texas. Mr. Jefferson received a Masters Degree 
in Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston in 
1967.
  A born scholar and educator, Mr. Jefferson finished his education and 
quickly rose to the position of Assistant Superintendent in the Houston 
Independent School District, where he supervised over 120 schools and 
eight area superintendents. He later retired and went on to become the 
Chairman of Protectors Insurance and Financial Services, LLC as well as 
the Protectors Health Partners, LLC.
  Mr. Jefferson has held leadership positions on various boards and 
commissions, including President of the National Association of the 
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Houston Branch, Vice-Chairman of 
the Board of Commissioners of the Houston Housing Authority, Chairman 
of the Veterans Advisory Committee, Vice President of the Houston 
Principals Association, Vice President of the Mustang Little League 
Football Team and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Operation PULL. 
He has also been a member of numerous boards and commissions, including 
the Harris County Board of Education, Shell Oil Company Diversity 
Advisory Board and City of Houston Urban Policy Advisory Board.
  Mr. Jefferson's leadership and community service have been 
consistently recognized by his colleagues. Amongst other honors, Mr. 
Jefferson has received the State of Texas NAACP Heroes Award, the NAACP 
Mickey Leland Humanitarian Award, National Baptist Association 
Humanitarian Award, Houston Lawyers Association Outstanding Services 
Award, Houston Black Fire Fighters Service Award and had a day 
pronounced in the city of Houston in his honor by Houston mayor Lee P. 
Brown.
  Mr. Speaker, I am blessed to have the opportunity to pay tribute to a 
man who so selflessly acts as an agent for change and a coalition 
builder. He is an exemplar for all those who aspire to selflessly serve 
others, and most of all he is a friend.

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