[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 19 (Wednesday, January 30, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E114-E115]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING MITTIE A. PULLAM AT CONGRESSMAN VELA'S BLACK HISTORY MONTH 
                              CELEBRATION

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FILEMON VELA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 30, 2019

  Mr. VELA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mittie A. Pullam of 
Brownsville, Texas for her dedication to educating our children.
   Mrs. Pullam earned her Bachelor of Arts in Literacy Arts from Samuel 
Houston College in Austin, Texas, and her Master of Education from 
Texas Southern University. After completing her master's degree, she 
moved to Brownsville, where she began her teaching career.
   Mrs. Pullam dedicated her life to enriching the lives of African 
American children. She helped establish Frederick Douglass Elementary 
School, Brownsville's only segregated school, and was both a teacher 
and a principal there until the district was desegregated in the early 
1960's, at which time the school was integrated into Skinner Elementary 
School. She worked at Skinner until her retirement in 1975.
   As the first African American teacher and the first African American 
school principal in the Brownsville Independent School District (ISD), 
Mrs. Pullam led by example and instilled hope in the lives of the 
African American community. She worked to provide her

[[Page E115]]

students with amenities that segregated schools often lacked, including 
musical instruments and electric fans. Brownsville ISD named her 
``Elementary School Teacher of the Year'' in 1975.
   Mittie A. Pullam Elementary School opened in 2009, honoring Mrs. 
Pullam's 28-year career providing our children with an equal 
opportunity. She attended the groundbreaking ceremony and was joined by 
the school's first class of students, the future leaders in our region.
   I am pleased to recognize Mrs. Pullam for her outstanding career in 
Texas' 34th Congressional District, especially as an educator during a 
difficult time in our history. We are all thankful for her critical 
role in fighting for justice across the Rio Grande Valley. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing Mittie A. Pullam, her family, and 
friends for her success.

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