[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 2, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. DUDLEY FLOOD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
North Carolina (Ms. Ross) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROSS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the service and career 
of Dr. Dudley Flood, a recipient of North Carolina's highest civilian 
award, the North Carolina Award for Public Service, for his 
trailblazing leadership in desegregating our State's public schools.
  Born in Winton, North Carolina, and a graduate of North Carolina's 
Central University, Dr. Flood began his career as an educator teaching 
grade school and eventually becoming a principal.
  Following his teaching tenure, Dr. Flood joined the North Carolina 
Department of Public Instruction, where he made a significant impact 
during his 21 years of dedicated service. In the years following the 
landmark 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision, Dr. Flood and the 
late Gene Causby were tasked with facilitating the desegregation of 
schools in all 100 counties in North Carolina.
  In 1969, Dr. Flood and Mr. Causby began to travel across the State to 
help desegregate North Carolina school systems. Beyond the assistance 
they provided in navigating this challenging process, it was the visual 
of these two men--one Black and one White--working closely together 
that made a powerful impression on teachers and students alike.
  Through his honorable work, Dr. Flood became a State hero and North 
Carolina became a model for school desegregation. By working to ensure 
that North Carolina is a place where all students can learn, 
irrespective of race, Dr. Flood helped bring together starkly divided 
communities and effectively ushered in a new era for public education 
in our State.
  Dr. Flood retired from public instruction in 1990. Since then, he has 
served as executive director of the North Carolina Association of 
School Administrators, taught as a visiting professor at multiple North 
Carolina colleges and universities, and continued to be active in his 
community, including with the Flood Group, a group of people who meet 
from across the State.
  Now, 90 years old, Dr. Flood has led an incredible career as a 
champion for equitable education. Today, his achievements can be seen 
in schools statewide as children of all races are able to learn and 
play together and support each other's academic success.
  As we begin celebrating Black History Month, I am honored to share 
his extraordinary legacy with this body. He enhanced the lives of 
hundreds of thousands North Carolinians through his example and his 
achievements. The people of our State are forever grateful for his 
remarkable life and lasting legacy.

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