[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 173 (Friday, December 2, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING WILLIAM T. BROWN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, December 2, 2016

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
life and legacy of William T. Brown of Fayetteville, North Carolina, a 
committed advocate for civil rights and educational excellence. His 
place in history was secured by his leadership during the integration 
of Cumberland County schools, one of the largest and most diverse 
school districts in the state of North Carolina.
   Mr. Brown passed away on November 14 at the age of 87. My wife Lisa 
and I wish to extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, 
and colleagues.
   A North Carolina native, William T. Brown graduated from North 
Carolina A&T State University in 1948 and North Carolina Central 
University in 1954. Mr. Brown also pursued graduate degrees at Columbia 
University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
   In 1955, Mr. Brown moved to Fayetteville and began teaching science 
at E.E. Smith High School. After leading Ferguson Elementary School, he 
served as principal of Washington Drive Junior High School from 1963 to 
1971, where he oversaw the process of integration almost a decade after 
the landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education.
   In 1971, Mr. Brown became principal of E.E. Smith High School. It 
was during this pivotal year that white students began attending the 
historically black high schools in Cumberland County. During this time, 
Mr. Brown emphasized to students and parents that their success in 
breaking down barriers would be remembered long after the racial 
backlash had subsided.
   A career educator, Mr. Brown later became assistant superintendent 
and associate superintendent for Fayetteville City Schools. He retired 
in 1992 and served as special assistant to the chancellor at 
Fayetteville State University until 1995. He was then appointed to the 
University of North Carolina Board of Governors and served as trustee 
emeritus at Fayetteville State University.
   In 1994, the Cumberland County Board of Education named William T. 
Brown Elementary in Spring Lake, North Carolina, the county's first 
year-round school, in his honor. In 2014, Fayetteville State University 
named a Distinguished Professorship in Economics in recognition of his 
many contributions.
   The Fayetteville community and the State of North Carolina continue 
to benefit from William Brown's contributions to public education, 
desegregation, and expanded opportunity. He was a revered leader in the 
community, and his tireless efforts helped provide a better future for 
the people of Cumberland County, the Fourth District, and North 
Carolina.

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