[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 43 (Monday, March 8, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE OF CHARLES WALKER PREWITT SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE COURTNEY

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 8, 2021

  Mr. COURTNEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to observe and mourn the 
passing of a talented scientist, college professor, and most notably a 
``citizen of the world'' who passionately advocated for world peace and 
justice, Mr. Charlie Prewitt, of Mansfield Hollow, Connecticut. My 
friend Charlie passed at the extraordinary age of 102 on January 7, 
2021, sadly due to complications related to the coronavirus.
  My statement today could not begin to encapsulate all that Charlie 
had accomplished during his industrious life. Born in Indiana in 1918, 
he showed such academic aptitude from an early age when he entered the 
second grade by age five. A prolific musician, playing both piano and 
violin, he received a scholarship to play in the Transylvania 
University orchestra where he would then go onto earn a bachelor's 
degree in chemistry. Charlie also met the love of his life, Virginia 
Stewart, at his alma mater--a love that would last 65 years.
  Charlie went on to continue his education at Louisiana State 
University when his graduate work was interrupted by World War II. Due 
to his background in chemistry, he was conscripted to work at Dupont 
Chemical on extending the burn rate of gunpowder. That work led him to 
the Manhattan Project where he collected samples from reactors and ran 
titrations on plutonium. His involvement in the creation of nuclear 
weapons and intimate knowledge of their terrifying power was a driving 
motivation for his determined commitment to nuclear nonproliferation.
  When the war ended, Charlie completed his graduate work, obtaining a 
Master's in Education at University of Kentucky, followed by a 
Doctorate in Science Education at Columbia University. In 1952, he and 
Virginia finally landed in Willimantic, Connecticut when he moved to 
take a professorship at the then named Willimantic State Teachers 
College, now Eastern Connecticut State University. His commitment to 
his students and his passion for educating educators was unmatched. His 
leadership led to the establishment of a minor degree in Peace and 
Human Rights at the University and the development of a scholarship 
program for students pursuing this degree.
  While he remained in Connecticut for the rest of his life and career, 
Charlie never lost sight of foreign affairs. He accepted a Fulbright 
Scholarship to Myanmar, a U.S. AID position in Afghanistan and finally 
joined a Ford Foundation project in Pakistan. His commitment to war 
resistance, social justice, peace, and advancement of human rights 
never wavered.
  Charlie and I crossed paths many times during my time in public 
service, and while we would engage in healthy debate, our conversations 
always left me with a deeper understanding of the issues and an even 
deeper respect for his commitment to them. Charlie's loss leaves a deep 
void in the activist community in Eastern Connecticut and around the 
world. He now goes on to join his loving wife Virginia, who regretfully 
predeceased him in 2007. Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues and 
this Chamber to join me in expressing our deepest respect for Charlie's 
work and life and send our deepest condolences to the Prewitt Family. 
Charlie is survived by his children Charlies Walker Jr., (John) David 
Prewitt and Mary Stewart Prewitt and their families who carry the 
indelible memory of Charlie and Virginia in their hearts so that their 
example of compassion and kindness will carry on.

                          ____________________