[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 84 (Thursday, May 26, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E808]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE LIFE OF MARTIN EUGENE (GENE) CAMPBELL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 26, 2016

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Martin 
Eugene (Gene) Campbell, who died on May 17, 2016. Mr. Campbell was a 
pioneering member of the Florida Legislature and later became an 
essential figure in Belle Glade, Florida, where he served as Assistant 
Principal of Glades Central High School for over 20 years, working hand 
in hand with the late Dr. Effie C. Grear.
  Mr. Campbell was born in Gadsen, Alabama and earned a B.A. from 
Auburn University. His teaching career began in Germany, where he met 
his wife Carmen. They returned to Palm Beach County where he taught 
American history at Howell Watkins Junior High School.
  After serving as president of the Palm Beach County Classroom 
Teachers Association, Mr. Campbell, a lifelong democrat, was elected to 
non-consecutive terms in the state legislature in 1974 and 1978, 
representing West Palm Beach.
  While in Tallahassee, he earned a reputation as a good-government 
reformer and as a relentless champion for public education. Known as 
``Casino Geno,'' Mr. Campbell introduced legislation to expand gaming 
to Florida as early as 1975. Ahead of his time, Mr. Campbell was 
motivated solely by increasing teacher salaries and improving the 
quality of Florida's education system.
  Upon retiring from politics, he dedicated himself to the Glades 
Central community and became an unapologetic cheerleader for Belle 
Glade and the western Palm Beach County region.
  Mr. Campbell was married to Carmen Campbell, a longtime fellow 
educator. The couple had three children, Carmen, Donald and Daniel, 
each of whom have dedicated themselves to education as well. They are 
blessed with four grandchildren.
  Mr. Campbell was a towering figure who engendered respect and love 
among everyone in the political process and educational field. He was a 
good friend and mentor to many and will be dearly missed.

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