[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H7904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF CAROL J. LANCASTER

  (Ms. PELOSI asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the life of Carol J. 
Lancaster, the visionary educator, public servant, and trailblazing 
dean of the Georgetown School of Foreign Service, who passed away last 
month.
  Born to working-class parents during the Second World War, Lancaster 
became the first in her family to attend college. At Georgetown 
University, she became one of the first women to earn a bachelor of 
science degree from the School of Foreign Service. Following 
graduation, Dean Lancaster was awarded a Fulbright fellowship to study 
at the Universidad de San Andres in La Paz, Bolivia, adding Spanish to 
the five additional languages she would learn in adulthood. Lancaster 
later earned a doctorate in international relations from the London 
School of Economics in 1972.
  After teaching in England and following a series of prestigious 
fellowships, she was called to serve in the U.S. Department of State as 
a member of the policy planning staff, and in the early eighties she 
became Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs at the 
State Department. During the Clinton administration, she served as 
Deputy Administrator of USAID. In every position, she focused her time 
and talent on creating a better world for all our children.
  At the end of her government service, Lancaster's commitment to 
building the next generation of global leaders compelled her to teach 
at the Walsh School of Foreign Service, where she inspired students, 
encouraged scholars, strengthened diplomacy, and authored numerous 
books and articles for more than 30 years. At Georgetown, Lancaster 
motivated a new generation of young leaders, thinkers, and problem 
solvers to soar to greater heights and tackle today's challenges with 
vigor, compassion, and courage.
  Mr. Speaker, her legacy of excellence continues to echo through 
Georgetown's community. Georgetown University President Jack DeGioia 
noted that Lancaster ``provided extraordinary leadership as dean of SFS 
and was a leader and a professor contributing in countless ways to our 
community through her vision and scholarship. Moreover, the joy and 
dedication that Carol brought to her work inspired us all to be the 
very best versions of ourselves,'' he said.
  Chairman of the Foreign Service School's Board of Visitors, my 
husband, Paul Pelosi, noted that as the first woman and first alumnus 
to become dean of the School of Foreign Service, she ``was renowned for 
her commitment to her students; she demonstrated both intellectual 
curiosity and courage and had a profound effect on the way we think 
about global development. Carol will be remembered as a pioneering 
woman in international affairs and a stalwart champion of human 
dignity.''
  In conclusion, when speaking around the world, Lancaster also had to 
stand on what she called the ``Madeline Albright box'' to be seen over 
podiums. Today, thousands of young students and women from across the 
world stand on her shoulders, inspired by her example and empowered by 
her leadership to speak boldly, act bravely, and make their mark in the 
world.
  May it be a comfort to her husband, Curt, their son, Douglas, who is 
with us today with his wife, and the entire Farrar family that so many 
people around the world mourn their loss, share their grief, and are 
praying for them at this sad time.
  President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia said it best: ``May she 
rest in peace for her long years of labor to make the world a better 
place.''

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