[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 56 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E438-E439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING LULA FRIAR

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 13, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable public servant, Ms. Lula Friar.
  Ms. Lula Friar is a retired educator with 30 years of experience 
teaching in the classroom. She taught at Goodman-Pickens Elementary 
School in Pickens, Mississippi. She used her passion for teaching the 
little ones to successfully prepare second-graders for their academic 
journey until she retired in 2008. In

[[Page E439]]

2004, she was recognized as the Teacher of the Year by the Holmes 
County School District.
  Ms. Friar is currently employed by the Community Students Learning 
Center (CSLC) and has shown herself to be a valuable resource and asset 
to CSLC. Over the last five years, she has served as the HIPPY 
Coordinator for CSLC's Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool 
Youngsters (HIPPY), an early childhood literacy evidence-based program 
for 3- to 5-year-olds that teaches lessons in homes and works with 
families to support parents as their child's primary teacher.
  In addition to her role as a HIPPY Coordinator, she also utilizes her 
teaching experience to support other educational enrichment programs 
and services available at CSLC such as the After School Program, where 
she has served for five years. She also works with the CSLC Summer 
Youth Enrichment Program, where she has provided her leadership and 
teaching expertise for the last 12 years. Although she is no longer in 
the school system, Ms. Friar continues to keep her state teaching 
license renewed. CSLC is grateful to have a certified teacher working 
with its children.
  Education is only a part of Friar's service at CSLC. Her primary 
position is Housing Advocate under the CSLC Housing Programs in which 
she assists the center in coordinating affordable housing and rehab 
housing services for low income families. Friar takes pride in helping 
children and their families secure better living conditions.
  When she is not working at CSLC she is an active member at her 
church, Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church in Lexington where she has 
served on the Board of Trustees for the past ten years, Vice-President 
of the Lebanon Inspiration Choir, President of the Lebanon Senior 
Choir, and also works with the youth department. Over the past 15 
years, Lula has also helped with the Holmes County Central High School 
Marching Band. In her spare time, Lula also enjoys spending quality 
time with her family and grandkids.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Ms. Lula 
Friar for her dedication and support to the Holmes County Community.

                          ____________________