[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 140 (Tuesday, September 10, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                HONORING MS. SARAH JANE GORDON CHAMBLISS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 10, 2024

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
trailblazer, Ms. Sarah Jane Gordon Chambliss. She has shown what can be 
done through hard work, dedication, and a strong desire for change.
  Born in Claiborne County, MS, on November 3, 1937, the first of eight 
children, Sarah Jane Gordon Chambliss became the only daughter of Elder 
Anthony M. Gordon and Mrs. Bennie Lee Hamilton Gordon. She graduated 
from Claiborne County Training School in May of 1955. From 1955 to 
1959, she studied at Jarvis Christian College, in Hawkins, TX from 
which she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. The desire to teach English 
drew her back to Mississippi where she became teacher of English and 
Department Head at Quitman County High School in Marks and later at 
Delta Center High School in Walls.
  During the summer of 1968, while pregnant, she attended Auburn 
University in Auburn, AL. In 1973, she moved back to Port Gibson from 
Memphis, TN, where she had lived since 1961. She obtained employment 
with Port Gibson Bank (now River Hills Bank) for two years, becoming 
the first Afro-American female teller in Port Gibson. From 1974-1978, 
while working full time, she studied at Alcorn State University, 
Lorman, MS, where she earned her Master of Science degree with honors 
in 1978.
  Ms. Chambliss taught in the Claiborne County Public Schools from 1973 
to 1992, when illness forced her to retire. During her tenure she 
founded COM BAAC, Inc., a behavior modification organization. Since 
retirement, she has also founded the local writers' guild.
  She married A.C. Chambliss on December 24, 1959. God graciously gave 
them two children, Steven Douglas Chambliss and Vanessa LaRose 
Chambliss Thomas.
  Her religious convictions are strong. She served as Pine Grove 
Christian Church's choir president from 1973 to 2014 where she also 
serves as a deaconess. She is an evangelist, a songstress, and a 
pianist--having served as musician for several local churches. Some of 
her work has been published in the following anthologies: Poetic Voices 
of America, The Space Between, Odyssey, and Best Poets. Her published 
books are In the Light of Darkness and Almighty Love, Almighty Light; 
and she is awaiting publication of the fourth--In Knowing, Know This. 
Her published play is ``A People Wandering in the Wilderness.'' 
Pertinent honors are as follows: Listed in Who's Who in America's 
Colleges and Universities, Who's Who Among America's Teachers, and STAR 
Teacher (1986).
  In August 1994, she was a recipient of The International Poet of 
Merit Award presented to her by the International Society of Poets in 
ceremonies held in Washington, D.C. In March 1996, she was inducted 
into the International Poetry Hall of Fame. She has travelled to many 
places reciting her inspirational and anointed poetry and sharing other 
God given knowledge and wisdom. She emphasizes that she has done 
nothing, completed no chores of her own volition but by God's will with 
the extension of His divine grace. Although a retiree, she seizes every 
opportunity to share her experiences and continues to educate anyone 
who will spend the time to listen.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing an 
esteemed author, Ms. Sarah Jane Gordon Chambliss, for her hard work in 
the field of education and accomplishments in the arts.

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