[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 85 (Friday, June 14, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E870]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING DR. CHARLES A. PICKETT, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 13, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
once outstanding civil servant and educator, Dr. Charles A. Pickett, 
Sr. His remarkable service to education and the community spanned over 
45 years.
  Dr. Pickett, Sr. was born January 16, 1938 to Mr. William D. Pickett 
and Mrs. Willie C. Flowers Pickett in Miles Station, Mississippi. He 
obtained his high school education from Jim Hill High School in 
Jackson, Mississippi and pursued his collegiate studies at Tougaloo 
College, Temple University, and the University of Southern Mississippi. 
Even in accomplishing such magnificent educational achievements, Dr. 
Pickett, Sr. pressed forward with additional studies at Brown 
University and Columbia University. His appointment as a National 
Science Foundation Physics Fellow awarded him the opportunity to work 
at nationally renowned universities, such as Fisk University, Texas 
Southern University, Louisiana State University, and Lawrence Livermore 
Laboratory. Having obtained a wealth of knowledge and expertise, Dr. 
Pickett, Sr. was uniquely prepared to pursue the lasting career he 
ultimately dedicated his life's work towards.
  Dr. Pickett, Sr. began his lifelong commitment to education as a 
teacher of mathematics and physics at Hinds County Agricultural High 
School in Utica, Mississippi. His exceptional prowess in those subject 
areas paved the way for him to teach at numerous other institutions, 
including: Utica Junior College, Alcorn State University, Louisiana 
State University, Jackson State University, and Mississippi Valley 
State University, where he was appointed Chairman of the Department of 
Chemistry and Physics.
  Not only was Dr. Pickett, Sr. an outstanding teacher, but also a 
strong advocate for increasing the number and quality of physics 
courses offered at historically black colleges and universities. His 
advocacy was instrumental in implementing these changes, as well as 
enhancing the availability of physics laboratory equipment.
  In addition to his valuable contributions to academics, Dr. Pickett, 
Sr. held key offices on the Board of Trustees of the State Institutions 
of Higher Learning (IHL), including Associate Commissioner of Academic 
Affairs and Interim Commissioner, solidifying him as the first African 
American professional to serve in either of these positions. Even after 
his retirement, Dr. Pickett, Sr. continued to provide valuable input to 
IHL as a consultant.
  Dr. Pickett, Sr. was well-known in the community, not only for his 
professional contributions, but also for his dedication to his family 
and leisure enjoyments. He was a devoted husband to Marie Wilcher for 
44 years and a committed father of two sons, Charles, Jr. and Dewayne. 
He was a member of the Mississippi Cattlemen's Association, the Terry 
Cowboys Riding Club, Sigma Pi Sigma Honorary Physics Society, and Alpha 
Phi Alpha Fraternity. Dr. Pickett, Sr. transcended this life on earth 
on January 17, 2009.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Dr. 
Charles A. Pickett, Sr. for his dedication and service as a respected 
educator and for the commendable contributions he made to the field of 
public education.

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