[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 164 (Wednesday, November 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1494]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE LIFE OF ELAINE E. THOMPSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. BARBARA COMSTOCK

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 16, 2016

  Mrs. COMSTOCK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to honor 
the life of Ms. Elaine E. Thompson of Hamilton, Virginia. Throughout 
her life, Ms. Thompson was a respected leader in her community and a 
notable historian of African American culture in Loudoun County. Coming 
from a family of educators, I applaud Ms. Thompson's dedication to the 
search for knowledge throughout her life as teacher, historian, author, 
and speaker.
  Ms. Thompson led many successful efforts to advance the recognition 
and preservation of African American history. Aside from her numerous 
contributions of written work on the subject, she was instrumental in 
the founding of the Thomas Balch Library's Black History Committee, and 
the establishment of the historic highway marker at the Emancipation 
Grounds in Purcellville, Virginia. Ms. Thompson was a role model and 
mentor for many in the community. Most recently, she left her mark on 
African American history through her contribution of Joseph Trammell's 
freedom certificate to the Museum of African American History and 
Culture. Joseph Trammell, a freed slave who was buried in Lincoln, 
Virginia, was an ancestor of Ms. Thompson. In 2014, she donated Mr. 
Trammell's freedom certificate to the National Museum of African 
American History and Culture. One of the last joys of her life was to 
see her gift at the museum's opening and to be an invited guest at the 
Dedication Ceremony and Gala. Her selfless legacy will forever be a 
part of the history of Loudoun County and the nation as a whole.
  Elaine was quiet but passionate, resolute and firm in her 
convictions. She lavished love, affection, and gifts on family members 
and friends. She also gently shared her displeasure if someone 
disappointed her. After her retirement, Elaine dedicated her time to 
caring for her parents in their declining years.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in celebrating the life 
of, and bidding farewell to, Elaine E. Thompson. May she rest in peace, 
and her family be comforted.

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