[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 150 (Wednesday, September 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CELEBRATING MR. JAMES TURNER'S 85TH BIRTHDAY AND 45 YEARS OF TEACHING 
                         AT LIBERTY HIGH SCHOOL

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                            HON. BRIAN BABIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 18, 2019

  Mr. BABIN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Mr. James ``Coach 
T'' Turner, on his 85th birthday as well as recognize his 45 years of 
teaching at Liberty High School.
  Mr. Turner was born and raised in Liberty, Texas. Upon graduating 
from West Liberty High School in 1954, he was named valedictorian and 
subsequently received a full scholarship to Grambling State University 
in Grambling, Louisiana. After earning his master's degree from Texas 
Southern University, he traveled back to his hometown where he began 
teaching and coaching at West Liberty High School. During his time 
there, he was named Liberty ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year once and 
Liberty High School Teacher of the Year nine times. While instructing 
students, he coached the University Interscholastic League (U.I.L.) 
high school team for math, calculator, and number sense for 17 years. 
As a U.I.L. coach, he was awarded the U.I.L. Southwestern Bell Academic 
Sponsor Excellence Award and the Texas Math and Science Coaches 
Association Salute for U.I.L. Excellence Award for his outstanding 
contributions to the team and to his students. Mr. Turner also received 
the City of Ames Award for devoted years of service to West Liberty 
High and Elementary Schools.
  While attending graduate classes at Texas Southern University, Mr. 
Turner met the love of his life, Mrs. Dorothy Robbins Turner. During 
their more than 51 years of marriage, they raised one son, Mr. Dedric 
James Turner. Dedric followed in his dad's footsteps by becoming a math 
teacher--leading the math department at C.E. King High School--and 
athletic and academic coach. However, he now works for the ExxonMobil 
corporation. Throughout his life, Mr. James Turner has continuously 
made significant contributions to his Southeast Texas community, and it 
is an honor to recognize him for his outstanding dedication to his 
fellow citizens.
  Madam Speaker, it is because of excellent citizens like Mr. Turner 
that we have wonderful role models for the next generation of students 
to aspire to. I am proud that Mr. Turner is a constituent of Texas's 
36th Congressional district, and I am thankful for the positive impact 
he has made in the lives of students. I applaud Mr. Turner for his many 
accomplishments, and I wish him a very happy 85th birthday and 
congratulations on his 45 years of teaching.

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