[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E320]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING JAMES SOLOMON RUSSELL DAY IN THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

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                        HON. A. DONALD McEACHIN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 30, 2022

  Mr. McEACHIN. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
celebrate James Solomon Russell Day in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
  James Solomon Russell was an enormously important figure in the 
history of southern Virginia. He was born into slavery in 1857 and 
began his career as a teacher in 1874. By 1879, he began transitioning 
to ministry, building his first church and being ordained a deacon in 
1882. His work included building new schools and senior housing in 
addition to increasing the number of African-American churches in his 
diocese from none to thirty-seven. Perhaps his most well-known 
accomplishment is his founding in 1888 and subsequent leadership of 
Saint Paul's College. As a result of his work, thousands of young 
African Americans obtained a higher education degree. Particularly 
important among the alumni of Saint Paul's College are the many 
teachers who went on to educate young people across the Commonwealth.
  James Solomon Russell Day in the Commonwealth was first established 
on March 28, 2020 through a bill in the Virginia State Legislative 
Session. By introducing this bill, Delegate Roslyn Tyler and Senator 
Louise Lucas ensured that James Solomon Russell Day is celebrated on 
March 28th in the Commonwealth for years to come. Through this annual 
recognition, we will keep his memory alive and celebrate his work to 
better our Commonwealth.
  This year, I want to particularly commend the Smithsonian 
Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture 
Robert F. Smith Center for the Digitization and Curation of African 
American History for their work with the James Solomon Russell--Saint 
Paul's College Museum and Archives. Representatives from the Center 
have already travelled to Lawrenceville twice to lend their expertise 
on archiving and digitizing the museum's collection and are planning 
another trip this spring. With the experience of the Center, financial 
support from the state and federal government, and the passion of the 
staff at the museum, residents of southern Virginia will be able to 
access and learn from the history of James Solomon Russell and Saint 
Paul's College.

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