[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 20, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E868-E869]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING THE LOSS OF A GREAT EDUCATOR AND OUTSTANDING CAREER OF DR. 
                             MATTHEW CAUSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TROY A. CARTER

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 20, 2023

  Mr. CARTER of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate an 
outstanding gentleman and dear friend, Dr. Matthew Causey. Dr. Causey 
departed this life on September 6, 2023. He was born on August 5, 1943, 
in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Helen Kelly Jones and Matthew 
Causey. For most of his childhood, he grew up in St. Charles Parish in 
the small town of Killona. It was there that life-long values were 
formed under the loving and watchful eyes of his late grandparents, Eva 
and Andrew Kelly, Sr., and his 7 aunts and uncles. To him, his many 
first cousins were more like brothers and sisters, and to many close 
relatives, he was known as ``Snook.''
  Dr. Causey's early education preparation culminated in his graduation 
from George Washington Carver High School in Hahnville, LA. Thereafter, 
he enrolled at Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), and 
eventually transferred to the Baton Rouge campus, earning a Bachelor of 
Science degree in Mathematics Education in 1966. He began his 
professional career as a math teacher in Orleans Parish Public Schools 
at Samuel S. Green Junior High School.
  Always yearning to learn more, Matthew earned a Master of Science 
degree in Mathematics from Loyola University in New Orleans in 1970. 
Continuing his steadfast commitment to education, Matthew applied and 
was accepted into a doctoral program in mathematics education at the 
University of Houston. It was there that he met the love of his life, 
Lynette Smith, as they were both pursuing doctoral degrees. Upon 
completing their respective graduate programs, they returned to New 
Orleans. They married in 1978. Their lifelong love lasted 45 years and 
was the epitome of a love supreme. Their family grew to include 2 sons 
with a daughter in the middle: Erik Matthew Causey, Lauren Lynette 
Causey, and Alan Charles Causey.
  He was an exceptional husband and father, as well as a true ``Village 
Father'' who always worked to help as many children as he could. Dr. 
Causey sought to advance academic excellence at SUNO by teaching, 
motivating, and inspiring his students with a love of learning. He rose 
to the rank of Associate Professor, served as Chair of the Mathematics 
and Physics Department, was Dean of the College of Science, and served 
as Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Throughout his 
tenure, the defining principle underlying all his decisions was his 
sincere love and respect for the students and the university.
  His achievements were acknowledged in 1996 when he received the 
Presidential Faculty Excellence Award at SUNO. After a stellar and 
impactful career, Dr. Causey retired with more than 40 years of service 
to SUNO. Dr. Causey's involvement and contributions to education 
reached beyond the walls of classrooms and into the community.
  One of his proudest contributions is that in 1993, he was one of 
three trailblazing founders of the New Orleans Charter Science and 
Mathematics High School, which focused on enriching STEM initiatives 
for high school students. That school is still in operation today. Dr. 
Causey also wrote a chapter in a book, entitled Called to Sankofa, 
which was a narrative account of post-Katrina New Orleans, highlighting 
the importance of maintaining an education system following a disaster. 
His academic work and contribution extended to many professional and 
advocacy organizations.
  Dr. Causey was a long-time judge for the Regional Mathematics and 
Science Fair and was a board member of the Southwest Educational 
Development Laboratory. In appreciation for his involvement and 
contribution, he received numerous honors, awards, and special 
recognition from peers and community organizations. He was a proud 
member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. and was active for years in 
the Gamma Rho Chapter.
  Above all, Matthew was a man of Faith and a dedicated member of St. 
Paul the Apostle Catholic Church. He served as a longstanding member of 
the Finance Council. For his outstanding service to the church, in 2019 
he was

[[Page E869]]

awarded the prestigious Order of St. Louis Medallion by the Archdiocese 
of New Orleans. Matthew loved woodworking, photography and traveling; 
however, cooking was his favorite special interest.
  He looked forward to cooking family-favorite dishes no matter how 
complicated, and he took great joy in the entire process. An 
accomplishment Matthew was extremely proud of was the publication of a 
cookbook that contained his favorite pictures and recipes. Matthew met 
life's challenges with strength, humility, and Faith. Matthew's 
kindness, gentleness and unassuming nature defined him, as he showed 
love to all he encountered. He had a calm demeanor and was spirit-
filled.
  Matthew was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and 
friend. He loved to learn, to laugh, to talk and to listen. He loved 
life and was just so easy to love. Matthew leaves to celebrate and 
cherish his life and legacy, his beloved wife of 45 years, Dr. Lynette 
Smith Causey; his devoted and adoring children: son, Erik Matthew 
Causey (Mowele), Arlington, VA; daughter, Dr. Lauren Lynette Causey, 
Thousand Oaks, CA; son, Lt. Col. Alan Charles Causey (Traci), Ft. 
Johnson, LA; his precious grandsons, Andrew, Cyril, and Gabriel Causey; 
his brother, Arthur Kelly Jones; his sister, Dianne Jones Smith; his 
aunt, Carol Pearson; his brother-in-law, Kevin J. Smith; his sister-in 
law, Ruth Evans Jones; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, close 
relatives, and very special family friends. He was preceded in death by 
his mother, Helen Kelly Jones, his father Matthew Causey, and his 
brothers, Warren J. Jones, and Lionel Jones.
  The Students of Southern University of New Orleans and New Orleans 
Charter Science and Mathematics High School are eternally grateful for 
the vision, guidance, and leadership of Dr. Causey. He will be forever 
remembered for all his contributions to advancing their education.

                          ____________________