[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 107 (Tuesday, July 5, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1025]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING MR. JOHN AUSTIN WERTHING SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. STEPHEN LEE FINCHER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 5, 2016

  Mr. FINCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the life and 
career of Mr. John Austin Werthing Sr. of Jackson, Tennessee. On June 
25, 2016, hundreds of family, friends, and former students gathered for 
the dedication of LaBelle Street as ``John Austin Werthing, Sr. 
Boulevard.'' I sincerely congratulate Mr. Werthing on this great honor.
   Mr. Werthing was born, raised and schooled in Lexington, Tennessee 
and completed his education with a Chemistry degree from Lane College. 
Upon graduation in 1952, Mr. Werthing was drafted into the United 
States Army where he served two years and is a veteran of the Korean 
War. While in uniform, he married Sallie Russell of Jackson. The two 
met in chemistry class years earlier while attending Lane College.
   In 1954, Mr. Werthing began teaching in Lexington, Tennessee. Three 
years later, he moved over to Merry High School and joined the Jackson-
Madison School System where he would dedicate the next 40 years of his 
life to educating students. Throughout his tenure, he touched the lives 
of thousands of students as a principal of Washington-Douglass, Merry 
Jr. High, Parkway Jr. High, and Northeast schools.
   Mr. Werthing's lifelong love for education continued as he attended 
several institutes including St. Louis, Tennessee State, Memphis State, 
and Indiana University where he earned his Master's degree in 1960. 
Along with education, he participated in numerous community activities 
including Lane Alumni, Boys and Girls Club, the Airport Authority, 
NAACP, and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church for over 60 years.
   For his unwavering devotion to education and the children of 
Jackson-Madison County, Mr. Werthing certainly deserves this 
appreciation and recognition from his students, friends, and entire 
community. On behalf of Tennessee's 8th Congressional District, I would 
like to congratulate and wish the best of luck for all future endeavors 
to the family and friends of Mr. John Austin Werthing Sr.

                          ____________________