[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 156 (Thursday, September 20, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1271]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING VIVIAN LEE BATTLE SIMS

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                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2018

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Vivian Lee Battle Sims for 
her lifetime of work in education and for her longstanding 
contributions to the communities in which she has resided throughout 
her life.
  Vivian Sims was born and raised in New York City, where she graduated 
from Girls' High School in Brooklyn, a highly regarded institution of 
the public school system. She went on to earn both her bachelor's and 
master's degrees at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. She also 
attended Columbia University, Tennessee State University, Middle 
Tennessee State University, Columbia State Community College and the 
Tennessee Technology Center at Pulaski. Vivian Sims returned to school 
at the age of 85 to begin work on a doctorate at Tennessee State 
University.
  She began her career in education as an art teacher in 1950 at 
Nashville city schools, eventually moving on to be art supervisor for 
Metro Nashville Public Schools' District 3 and Giles County's 
elementary schools. She served as the first high school art teacher at 
Giles County High School from 1976 to 1985, as Assistant Principal for 
Pulaski Elementary School from 1985 to 1991 and was the first African 
American woman principal at Southside Elementary School before her 
retirement in 1997.
  During her career as an educator that spanned over 47 years, Vivian 
Sims participated in the Fulbright Teacher Exchange and was a finalist 
for Tennessee Teacher of the Year. She also served as president of the 
Giles County Schools Teachers Association and on the Board of Directors 
for the Tennessee Education Association, among other national, state 
and local organizations.
  In addition to her work in public schools, Vivian Sims has always 
been an active member of her community. Some of these community 
activities include her work for Giles County Senior Citizens, Inc., the 
Community Council for the Adult Developmentally Handicapped, the 
Community Development Corporation of North Pulsaki, Help A Talented 
Student (HATS), the Pulaski Boys and Girls Club and the Pulaski Area 
Vocational-Technical School.
  My pride in Vivian is also personal because she is my cousin.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House of Representatives to join me in 
recognizing Vivian Lee Battle Sims for her outstanding contributions to 
education and the arts, as well as for her enduring service and 
attention to the greater Tennessee community.

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