[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 107 (Thursday, June 23, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3157-S3158]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING REGINALD M. FELTON

 Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. President, I rise to honor the life of a 
dedicated public servant and a champion for education: Mr. Reginald 
``Reggie'' M. Felton from my State of Maryland. Our community lost 
Reggie only a few days ago, at the age of 75. Today, I would like to 
take a moment to celebrate his extraordinary life and pay tribute to 
his lasting legacy of good works.
  The story of Reggie's life can be defined by one word: service. He 
served our Nation in the military as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard 
and, later, as a Senior Executive within the Department of the Navy. He 
served his town and county as president of a local citizens 
association, as chair of the Silver Spring Center Citizens Advisory 
Board, and as chairman of the Freedom Fund Dinner organized by the 
Montgomery County Branch of the NAACP.
  But most of all, Reggie served our students. With the trust of his 
community behind him, Reggie won a seat on the Montgomery County Board 
of Education in 1994. He would serve on the board for another 20 years, 
winning reelection in 1998 and 2002 and rising to become the first 
African-American president of the Montgomery County Board of Education, 
a position he held for three terms.
  Reggie's commitment to the mission and spirit of the school board led 
to real results during his tenure. The Montgomery County School Board 
earned national recognition for excellence while Reggie served on the 
board, and it is no wonder why. Under his leadership, the Montgomery 
County Public Schools, which make up the largest school district in my 
State, saw major improvements in the quality of education and in the 
process for selecting and onboarding superintendents. Reggie also 
focused his efforts on establishing higher standards in curriculum, and 
those higher standards continue to inform a tradition of excellence at 
Montgomery County Public Schools that lives on to this day. In short: 
Reggie's time as president of the Montgomery County School Board helped 
make Montgomery County schools some of the best in the Nation.
  Throughout his extraordinary life, Reggie Felton nurtured his talent 
for leadership, stepped up to serve his community and his country, and 
did all that he could to improve the lives of

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his fellow citizens. He was beloved by all--respected across our 
communities for his kindness, his good humor, his brilliance, and his 
grace.
  On a personal note, Reggie was a good friend whom I admired greatly. 
I will always remember his warm and generous spirit, his wonderful 
smile, and his determination to serve others. I know I speak for 
Marylanders everywhere when I say our State is eternally grateful for 
his service and sacrifice.
  Today, Reggie's legacy lives on in every young student who benefits 
from his good deeds--whether they know it or not--and his story will 
continue to inspire us all. Thank you, Reggie. We love you.

                          ____________________