[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 24, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              LEW WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 24, 2015

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the 
outstanding and invaluable contributions of African Americans during 
Black History Month and all year long. I am proud to pay tribute to 
African American men and women who exemplify the spirit of selfless and 
patriotic service.
  I rise today to honor the life of a true champion of education, Lew 
Williams. His 36-year career in public service and his tireless efforts 
to improve the lives of children will be remembered forever. Born in 
Baker County, Georgia, Mr. Williams grew up in poverty and knew 
education was his ticket to a better life. He earned his Bachelor's 
Degree from Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina and his 
Masters Degree from South Carolina State University. He married his 
beloved wife, Arthurene Sims and they had two children: Brandi, a 
literacy specialist at Melrose Elementary, and Brandon, a student at 
Stetson University College of Law.
  In 1970, Mr. Williams began his career in education as a social 
studies teacher at Dunedin Middle. He soon rose to be principal of 
Fairmount Park, South Ward, Dunedin Elementary, and Seminole Middle as 
well as Pinellas Park High. He became the Director of School Operations 
in 1987 and was promoted to Associate Superintendent for Pupil 
Assignment and Area II Superintendent of Pinellas County Schools before 
his retirement in 2005. Mr. Williams was elected to Pinellas County 
School Board in 2010.
  Although Mr. Williams was a soft-spoken man, when he spoke people 
listened. In his tireless dedication to his students, he wanted not 
only to educate them through books, but to equip them with life skills 
to succeed. He recognized the challenges that low-income and minority 
students faced, so he worked tirelessly to build relationships and 
connect with children and their families. He constantly pushed to 
create opportunities for those students some may have forgotten.
  Mr. Williams always seemed to have the pulse of the district's needs 
and how to address them. He faced budget crises head-on while closing 
the achievement gap between races and income levels. He saw the need 
and spearheaded an effort to implement measures that dealt with 
chronically disruptive students in ways that integrated rather than 
alienated. He strived to give parents the tools they need to help their 
children succeed in academics and life.
  After his retirement in 2005, he and his wife ran a preschool and he 
subsequently won the School Board seat. His slogan was ``Keep the main 
thing the main thing.'' And that philosophy defined his approach of 
always putting children first regardless of status or race. Mr. 
Williams passed away December 3, 2011 but his legacy will live on 
through the many student's lives he has changed for the better.

                          ____________________