[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 186 (Friday, October 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1002]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      HONORING DEBRA SMITH WRIGHT AS A BELOVED EDUCATOR AND MENTOR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 30, 2020

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, Debra Smith Wright was a beloved educator 
and mother, whose legacy is the countless minds she opened and hearts 
she touched.
  Ms. Smith Wright was born in 1953, to Eddie Lowe Smith and Essie Mae 
Jackson. She graduated from Lakeland High School in 1970, and Florida 
Memorial College in 1973. Afterwards, she went on to earn her master's 
and Specialist in Education Leadership from Rollins College in 1984.
  Ms. Smith Wright began her long and influential career in education 
as an elementary music teacher. She went on to serve as a principal, 
and in 2007, she retired as an education consultant. Even after her 
retirement, her dedication to the field endured, and she served as a 
Polk County School Board member.
  Ms. Smith Wright took the time to mentor me on the history of Polk 
County Schools, the struggles and reforms, and improvements made over 
the years. We worked together to improve justice for all students 
regardless of their background, expand trade program opportunities for 
young people to help them develop skills, and increase teacher pay to 
retain and recruit top talent at our schools. For this and more, we 
honor her.