[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 139 (Friday, November 14, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1592]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE AND DEDICATED SERVICE OF SAMUEL A. ALLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 14, 2014

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to commemorate the 
life and dedicated service of Crestview, Florida's beloved Mr. Samuel 
A. Allen, who passed away on November 5, 2014. Mr. Allen was a veteran, 
inspirational teacher, committed public servant, and loving family man. 
The entire Northwest Florida community mourns the loss of a great and 
compassionate individual.
   Mr. Allen was born on November 4, 1921, in Tallahassee, Florida, to 
the late Samuel and Aljonia Allen, who instilled in him the teachings 
of Jesus Christ at an early age. As a young adult, Mr. Allen honorably 
served our Nation as a member of the U.S. Army Air Corps from 1943 to 
1946 before ``discharging from the military and [falling] head over 
heels in love with a beautiful girl in Texas,'' as he would say. He 
married his beautiful girl, the late Caroline J. Barker, on June 5, 
1946.
   Mr. Allen enjoyed a long and successful career as an educator. He 
taught in the Okaloosa County School district for 34 years at Charles 
Drew High School in Baker, Florida, and at Carver Hill High School and 
Richbourg Junior High School in Crestview, Florida, until he retired in 
1983. Mr. Allen's pride in his teaching was extremely evident by the 
impression he left on others. In addition to his exceptional work in 
the classroom, Mr. Allen was also a leader in Northwest Florida's civic 
society, and on November 4, 1968, Mr. Allen became the first African-
American elected as a councilman to the Crestview City Council, on 
which he served for 11 years.
   In addition to his successful career and selfless leadership in the 
Northwest Florida community, Mr. Allen was also a member of Lebanon 
Baptist Church of Baker, a member of their Trustee Board, a Sunday 
School Superintendent-Teacher and Student, the transportation 
chairperson, and was active in the Progressive District of West Florida 
Association. From his humble beginnings, Mr. Allen achieved tremendous 
success throughout his lifetime, and his commitment to service never 
wavered. To some, Mr. Allen will be remembered as a man of integrity 
who devoted his life to public service and the shaping of the youth of 
Northwest Florida. To his family and friends, he will always be 
remembered for his loving and caring demeanor, and his dedication to 
his family.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, it is a 
privilege for me to honor the life and dedicated service of Mr. Samuel 
A. Allen. My wife Vicki and I extend our prayers and sincere 
condolences to his son, Samuel Jr; his daughter, Aljonia; five 
grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson; 
and the entire Allen family.

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