[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 160 (Wednesday, December 12, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1914]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO ALICE VARNADO HARDEN

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2012

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to an outstanding individual who has served the citizens of the great 
State of Mississippi for nearly half a century. Mrs. Alice Varnado 
Harden was an outstanding teacher, a profound leader and a truly 
inspiring individual. Senator Harden's unwavering passion for enriching 
the lives of others and remarkable character and integrity is worthy of 
recognition by this honorable body, inasmuch as her governing presence 
will be sorely missed throughout this nation.
  Mississippi Senator Alice Varnado Harden was born on April 17, 1948 
in Pike County, Mississippi to John Oatis Varnado and Lula Robinson 
Varnado. She was the third of nine children who grew up in the 
Washington Addition community of Jackson, Mississippi. A woman of 
humble beginnings, Senator Harden exhibited extraordinarily strong 
leadership skills, academic talents and teaching abilities that would 
later lend to her phenomenal performance as the first African American 
female to be elected to the Mississippi Senate.
  Senator Harden's zeal for education blossomed during her years at Jim 
Hill High School and Jackson State University. At Jackson State 
University she earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science 
degrees in Health and Wellness. Upon graduating from Jackson State 
University, Senator Harden began a noteworthy career as a teacher at 
Calloway High School in the Jackson Public School District where she 
quickly gained the respect and admiration of her students, colleagues 
and administrative supervisors.
  Recognizing that public schools in Mississippi were failing to 
deliver on its promise to adequately prepare its students for the 
challenges and demands of an ever changing world, Senator Harden 
gradually redefined her passion for educating from being purely a 
lecturer to being an advocate for quality public education. As 
president of the Mississippi Association of Educators, Senator Harden, 
despite the threat of incarceration by the courts, called for a strike 
in 1985 to fight for salary increases for the state's teachers. The 
voice for hundreds of teachers and thousands of children, Senator 
Harden's steadfast commitment to effectuate change from the front to 
the back of the classroom, was victorious. Her steadfast commitment to 
the pursuit of change in how Mississippi honored its educators led to a 
statewide pay increase for teachers.
  Mrs. Harden's roles as an activist propelled her into the realm of 
politics. In 1988, She was elected to represent Mississippi's 28th 
Senate District, filling a seat vacated by civil rights activist State 
Senator Henry Kersey. During her 24 years of service as a Senator, Mrs. 
Harden served as chair of both the Education and the Universities and 
Colleges Committees. She also served on the Appropriations Committee, 
Corrections Committee, the Fees, Salaries and Administration Committee, 
the Housing Committee, and the Interstate and Federal Cooperation 
Committee.
  Across Mississippi Senator Harden was known as a champion not only 
for public education, but also as a giant for human and civil rights. 
She was a staunch supporter and defender of legislation protecting 
workers' and immigrant rights and was successful in enacting laws that 
required the presence of certified translators in all Mississippi 
courts. Her efforts in the Senate also resulted in pay raises and free 
healthcare for state employees. One of her most notable victories 
during her leadership of the Senate's Elections Committee was the 
passage of Mississippi's Motor Voter Act. This bill empowered citizens 
throughout the State of Mississippi with greater accessibility to the 
election polls.
  Senator Alice Harden's professional associations, achievements and 
awards are numerous and impressive. They speak volumes with regards to 
her service and vision for Mississippi communities. Senator Harden was 
a lifetime active member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, a 
member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, the Women's Political Network, 
the National Council of Negro Women, the League of Women Voters and a 
life member of the NAACP. Additionally, she was a member of NOBEL 
Women, the National Conference of State Legislators, and the National 
Black Caucus of State Legislators and chaired the Southern Legislative 
Conference's Education Committee and the Mississippi Advisory Council 
to the United States Civil Rights Commission. She also represented 
Mississippi on the Education Commission of the States.
  In striving for academic excellence, Senator Harden pursued her 
doctorate in Educational Administration at The University of Southern 
Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, until her health began to 
fail. Senator Harden served her state and community faithfully until 
her death on Thursday, December 6, 2012.
  Ms. Harden was married for 37 years to Dennis Lambert Harden. Dennis 
and their son Sachem brought the greatest and most abundant joy and 
love to her life. She was often heard talking long hours about Dennis' 
undying love and his support for every facet and every endeavor that 
enriched both their lives.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting and paying 
tribute to the outstanding life, achievements and legacy of Mississippi 
State Senator Alice Varnado Harden. Her passion for public education, 
human and civil right and voter empowerment is laudable and worthy of 
recognition by the United States Congress. She will be celebrated 
forever as one of Mississippi's greatest leaders.

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