[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 77 (Monday, May 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E706-E707]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            BARBARA SHORTER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 16, 2016

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
accomplishments of a true champion of progress during Black History 
Month and all year long, Barbara Shorter. Her invaluable contributions 
to the Tampa Bay community is an inspiration to us all. Today, I am 
grateful to recognize her selfless dedication and honor her valuable 
service to our community.
  Ms. Shorter grew up in St. Petersburg, graduating from Gibbs High 
School. She matriculated from Florida A&M University where she then 
began her illustrious career as an Administrative Assistant to the Dean 
of the School of Agriculture and Home Economics. She dedicated the next 
decade to teaching before continuing her own education at Florida A&M 
when she received her Master's in Guidance and Counseling. Soon after 
graduation she accepted a position as the Assistant Principal at 
Northeast High School, becoming the third African American teacher ever 
assigned to an all-white high school in Pinellas County. Returning to 
her own Gibbs High School as Principal, she became the first female 
African American High School Principal in Pinellas County in 100 years. 
Most recently, she was an Adjunct Instructor at the University of South 
Florida.
  Ms. Shorter is a longtime leader in the African-American community. 
She was recognized as Tampa Bay's Black Most Influential in 1983 as 
well as Pinellas County's Educator of the Year for two straight years. 
Her local successes were recognized on the national level upon an 
invitation from Secretary of State Colin Powell to President Clinton's 
Summit on Education Issues from 1997-2000.
  Ms. Shorter service was not limited only to her work in the 
educational field. Throughout her life, she displayed a passion for 
civic engagement. She inspired the next generation of

[[Page E707]]

leaders in the African-American community by being actively involved in 
more than a dozen associations. Her most distinct honor was being the 
President of the Pinellas County High School Principals Association and 
the minority member for the Florida Association of School 
Administrators. She currently is a member of the Florida A&M University 
Alumni Association and has been an active member of the Galilee 
Missionary Baptist Church, having had longest active membership at 70 
plus years.
  Ms. Shorter was an unabashed environmentalist. Her heroic commitment 
to environmentalism made an unforgettable mark on the Tampa Bay 
community. Tampa Bay is a better and more beautiful place to live 
thanks to her efforts.
  Ms. Shorter has selflessly dedicated her life to our community and 
the children of Tampa Bay. Countless students and young professionals 
have benefited from her immeasurable efforts and unabashed enthusiasm. 
Her commitment will always be remembered and appreciated. Mr. Speaker, 
on behalf of a grateful Tampa Bay community, I am proud to recognize 
Barbara Shorter for her lifelong exemplary service to the State of 
Florida

                          ____________________