[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 143 (Thursday, October 1, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN VENERATION OF RETIRED MAJOR JOHN SPARKS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DAVID SCOTT

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 1, 2015

  Mr. DAVID SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to the accomplishments of the retired Major John Sparks. Major Sparks 
is a trailblazer for the African American community, with a career that 
spans fifty-seven years and three very different industries.
   Major Sparks joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1954. After finishing 
first in his Drill Instructor School in San Diego, Major Sparks went on 
to serve his country in the Vietnam War. He was one of two African 
Americans to receive Battlefield Commission. Furthermore, Major Sparks 
continued to make strides as a service man when he was the first 
African American officer to be chosen to command Marines aboard a ship. 
Despite facing pervasive racism and segregation, John Sparks climbed 
the ranks of the US Marine Corps until he retired as a Major in 1978.
   With the asset of military training and service, Major Sparks joined 
the business world. After serving in the Marine Corps for over twenty 
years, he worked as Director of Educational Training at IBM for twenty 
years. Not done giving back to his community, Major Sparks subsequently 
taught at Booker T. Washington high school for thirteen years before 
retiring.
   Major Sparks has spent his professional career educating, leading 
and serving the American people in a number of different industries. 
There is much that can be said about Major Sparks' diverse career. He 
undoubtedly opened doors for those that served after him in the armed 
services. He has helped educate and inspire both young minds and young 
professionals. He has been not only a leader in the military but also 
within his own community.
   Mr. Speaker, I rise today to not only honor the impressive 
achievements of this man, but also to commend his compassionate 
contributions to my Congressional district and to the great State of 
Georgia. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this distinguished 
individual.

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