[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 162 (Monday, November 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1439]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            DORETHA EDGECOMB

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. KATHY CASTOR

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2016

  Ms. CASTOR of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
lifetime accomplishments of my friend and the trailblazing Floridian, 
Mrs. Doretha Edgecomb. Her invaluable contribution to the Tampa Bay 
community is an inspiration to us all. Today, I am grateful to 
recognize her selfless dedication and honorable service to our 
community.
  Mrs. Edgecomb is a proud graduate of Middleton High School in Tampa, 
Florida and later Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama. She began 
her esteemed career as a junior high school English teacher with 
Hillsborough County Public Schools. She later earned a Masters of Arts 
degree in Reading Education and received certification in Educational 
Leadership from the University of South Florida. Her 52 year career as 
an educator encompasses numerous positions throughout the field of 
education, to include Reading Teacher, Learning Specialist, Title I 
Parent Involvement Coordinator, and Elementary Principal.
  In 1996, after retiring from the Hillsborough County School District, 
Mrs. Edgecomb joined Educational Testing Service, serving as a trainer, 
program developer, and technical assistance advisor for schools in the 
state departments of Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 
Additionally, she has taught in the College of Education at the 
University of South Florida.
  Mrs. Edgecomb was elected to the Hillsborough County School Board in 
2004 and re-elected in 2008, where she served as Vice Chair in 2010 and 
Chair in 2011. She is actively involved in several professional, civil, 
and social, and community organizations. She represents the School 
Board on the Hillsborough County Children's Board, serving her second 
term as Chair. She serves as a member of the Florida School Boards 
Association Board of Directors as a legislative liaison, board of 
directors for the Regional Educational Lab-Southeast, Florida State 
University, advisory committee of Gulf Coast Jewish Family and 
Community Services, and the executive board of the Council of Great 
City Schools.
  Mrs. Edgecomb is a 55-year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 
Incorporated, Athena Society, Inc., where she is the President-Elect of 
the Robert Saunders Friends of the Library, and a faithful member of 
Hyde Park United Methodist Church.
  Mrs. Edgecomb shared a strong partnership with her distinguished late 
husband the Honorable Judge George E. Edgecomb. Judge Edgecomb an 
activist in his own right, blazed the trail for African-Americans in 
the Tampa Bay. He was the first African-American to serve as Assistant 
County Solicitor, Assistant State Attorney, and to be appointed as 
County Judge for Hillsborough County. They share one daughter, Allison 
who is an Administrator in Hillsborough County Public Schools.
  Mrs. Edgecomb has selflessly dedicated her life to our community and 
the children of the 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 Doretha W. Edgecomb for her lifelong exemplary 
service to the State of Florida.

                          ____________________