[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 19, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF AUDREY BURGETTE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 2024

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today 
to commemorate the life of Mrs. Audrey Burgette. Mrs. Audrey lived a 
life of selflessness, service, and desire to better her community. 
There are individuals whose impact transcends time, leaving an 
indelible mark on those fortunate enough to have known them. Audrey 
June (Stewart) Burgette, the first Black female graduate of William 
Jewell College, was one of these special people.
  Audrey Burgette was born in Liberty, Missouri on July 18, 1930. The 
circumstances of her childhood were a reflection of the times--Liberty 
was a racially segregated community still in the grips of Jim Crow 
laws. Her early educational years were also plagued by second-class 
treatment due to her race. This was before the Brown v. Board of 
Education ruling, so her schooling occurred under less than ideal 
conditions. She grew up in a supportive African American community and 
a loving family, which bolstered her to remain steadfast in her put 
suit of academic excellence and personal growth. As a testament to 
this, she graduated as Valedictorian of her class at Garrison School in 
Liberty.
  Throughout her life, Audrey stood as a beacon of resilience and 
determination for overcoming numerous challenges. In her early 20s, she 
married John West Stapleton and welcomed two children, Carrie Eileen 
Stapleton and John West Stapleton, Jr., Esq. At the young age of 25, 
she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and was partially paralyzed 
by the disease. She battled back and regained her ability to walk, only 
to face the pain of divorce. Fortunately, she found love once again 
with Herbert Lee Burgette, a Korean War veteran from Kansas City. 
Together with Herbert, Audrey welcomed two more children into her 
loving embrace, the late Dr. Phillip Leroy Burgette, M.D., and Brigitte 
Burgette Bradley, Esq. Love was always present in her blended family's 
lives. Even though she and John were divorced, her second husband, 
Herbert, would sometimes connect with John Sr., a disabled war veteran, 
and offer to drive him to milestone events in Carrie and John Jr.'s 
lives, such as graduations and sporting events.
  While raising four children under the age of 10, Audrey was 
unrelenting in her quest for education. She achieved her dream of 
attending and graduating from William Jewell College with a Bachelor of 
Arts in Elementary Education in 1966. She later earned a Master of Arts 
in Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 1972.
  Audrey's dedication to education extended beyond her own academic 
pursuits. She was a revered elementary school teacher and counselor in 
the Kansas City MO School District for over 26 years. She touched the 
lives of countless children, Instilling in them a passion for learning 
and a belief in their own potential. This commitment expanded beyond 
her professional life. Audrey became a foster parent to several young 
people during this time, giving them the same love and support she 
showed for her own students and children.
  Audrey's commitment to excellence in education has also shaped the 
lives of her four children in profound ways, guiding them towards 
fulfilling their dreams and aspirations. They were inspired by her 
example to achieve great success in various fields, from law to 
medicine to public relations. Her legacy lives on through her three 
grandchildren, Carrie Nicole Randle, Langston Colin Taylor Burgette and 
Brandon Byron Hays; and one great-granddaughter, Nya Simone Payne. 
Carrie Nicole holds a master's degree and is pursuing a doctorate.
  In the community, Audrey was an active member of the Kansas City 
Chapter of the National Association of Business and Professional 
Women's Clubs, Inc., for which she was an officeholder and served on 
several committees. She was also a charter member of the Kansas City 
Chapter of the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and 
History, which was established in 1979 by the Black Archives of Mid-
America, Inc. Later in life, she added entrepreneur to her list of 
endeavors--she owned and operated a successful small business, the 
Stuart House of Maids.
  Her relationship with Christ was a central force in her life with one 
ultimate goal: to give Jesus the glory. She was a member of Liberty's 
St. Luke A.M.E. Church, and later found her spiritual home at the Unity 
Church of New Life in Kansas City. She also wanted her children to put 
Jesus first . . . every Christmas Eve, her family would celebrate by 
holding a birthday party for Jesus with a cake with one candle, singing 
Happy Birthday to him, making sure they knew the real meaning of 
Christmas.
  In 1986, the Urban League of Greater Kansas City's Black Family 
Recognition Committee honored the Burgette-Stapleton Family as a Model 
Black Family, recognizing them for their ``sterling qualities or 
support, love, sharing, stability, nurturing, and the ability to 
overcome adversity.''
  Tragically, Audrey's life was cut short by cancer at the age of 62. 
Her passing left a void in the hearts of all who knew her, but her 
spirit of love, laughter, and dedication to education continues to 
inspire all who were touched by her presence. Her unwavering support 
for her family and community endures--a shining example of the 
transformative power of a life lived with purpose, perseverance, and 
passion
  As we remember Audrey June Burgette, we honor her trailblazing 
spirit, her commitment to education, and her profound impact on all of 
those whose lives she touched As Audrey herself said in a letter to her 
daughter in 1983, ``Remember to love all people, places, things, and 
mainly yourself. With love you need nothing else, but without it you 
have nothing else.'' Mr. Speaker, let us rise today and honor Audrey's 
life and legacy. May her memory continue to inspire future generations 
to embrace challenges with courage to pursue their dreams with 
determination, and to always strive for excellence in all endeavors. 
Audrey June Brigette, a pioneer in education and a mother 
extraordinaire, will forever hold a special place in our hearts and in 
local history.

                          ____________________