[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 132 (Tuesday, August 1, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E747]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF MILDRED McMILLAN GARRETT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PAT FALLON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 1, 2023

  Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and 
service of Mrs. Mildred McMillan Garrett. Mrs. Garrett enlisted in the 
United States Army Air Corps in the Second World War as a cook.
  A native of Emory, Texas, Mrs. Garrett was born on September 5, 1923, 
and was 1 of 7 children in a military family. Despite the challenges 
posed by segregated schooling and living through the hardships of the 
Great Depression, she excelled in her studies at the historic Rosenwald 
Schools at Sand Flat and Richland. Her lengthy public service career 
began as a soldier in the Women's Army Corps. She was 1 of only 2 women 
from Rains County to join. After the war, Mrs. Garrett attended Texas 
College and received a certificate in cosmetology. She married David 
Garrett on December 24, 1945, and raised many children, grandchildren, 
and great-grandchildren.
  Mrs. Garrett was a longtime member of the Prairie Grove Baptist 
Church, where she often cooked for attendees and assisted in 
fundraising events. She was appointed to the Hope Well Cemetery 
Committee and served on the Board of Directors for the A.C. McMillan 
African American Museum. Furthermore, Mrs. Garrett was the first black 
woman to serve in numerous leadership positions across Rains County as 
a city councilmember and mayor pro tempore. Under her management, Emory 
experienced increased infrastructure development. At the same time, she 
continued to participate in volunteering and outreach efforts in her 
community. For her work and service, the Mildred McMillan Garrett 
Memorial Bridge is dedicated in her honor.
  Her passion and love of God, family, and country will always be 
remembered. I have requested the United States flag to be flown over 
our Nation's Capital to recognize Mrs. Garrett's extraordinary life and 
service to our Nation.

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