[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 156 (Thursday, September 26, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1210]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      TRIBUTE CELEBRATING THE 90TH BIRTHDAY OF FRANK B. WASHINGTON

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 26, 2019

  Mr. CLYBURN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Frank B. 
Washington in honor of his 90th birthday.
  Frank B. Washington was born on September 5, 1929 in Estill, South 
Carolina. He was raised in Columbia, South Carolina, in the Waverly and 
Allen Benedict Court communities. Frank attended public schools in 
Richland School District One, graduating from the historic Booker T. 
Washington High School in 1945. A 1949 graduate of Allen University 
with a degree in Psychology, he later pursued graduate studies at my 
alma mater, South Carolina State University as well as Catholic 
University and Bradley University.
  Frank began his professional career at the South Carolina Department 
of Education in 1951, serving as the state's Speech Therapist. He 
served in various roles including State Supervisor and Chief Supervisor 
of the Audit Division where he became the first African American to 
hold an administrative role within the department. Frank retired in 
June 1986 after an illustrious 35 years of service.
  Devoted to advancing social justice, Frank joined the Columbia 
Chapter of the NAACP, and was elected President in 1970, a position he 
held for sixteen years. Frank held multiple leadership roles within the 
NAACP including State Vice President for eight years and a member of 
the National NAACP Board of Directors for four years. His leadership 
within the NAACP was critical during the civil rights movement and 
resulted in the advancement of equal opportunity and access.
  Frank was directly involved in the court decisions that reapportioned 
the South Carolina Legislature leading to the first three African 
Americans being elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives 
in 1970. Also, he participated in the federal lawsuit that created the 
42-1 districting plan for the City Council of Columbia, South Carolina 
allowing the election of two African Americans to the City Council.
  The morals and values that are the foundation of his life are rooted 
in Frank's faith in God. Since 1965, he has been a member of St. Luke's 
Episcopal Church, where he has been a member of the Vestry, and served 
as Senior Warden.
  Throughout his journey he has been empowered by the encouragement and 
support of his beautiful family. Frank has been married to the former 
Vivian Deloris Wingard for 69 years. They are parents of three adult 
children: Carla Washington, Kent Washington, and Robin Major. They are 
also proud grandparents of three grandsons.
  Madam Speaker, Frank B. Washington has spent his lifetime as a 
selfless leader and humble servant to his fellow citizens of the great 
state of South Carolina. I ask you and my colleagues to join me in 
celebrating the 90th birthday of Frank B. Washington and wishing him 
continued good health and great prosperity in the days ahead.

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