[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 14 (Thursday, January 23, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S332]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARY FRANCES EARLY LECTURE 
  SERIES AND THE 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARY FRANCIS EARLY COLLEGE OF 
                               EDUCATION

  Mr. WARNOCK. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to Ms. Mary Frances 
Early for the 25th anniversary of the Mary Frances Early lecture series 
at the University of Georgia and the 5th anniversary of the naming of 
the University of Georgia's College of Education in her honor.
  Hailing from Atlanta, GA, where she was born and raised, Mary Frances 
Early played an invaluable role in supporting music education in 
Georgia and the desegregation of Georgia universities. After earning a 
bachelor's degree in music education from Clark College--now Clark 
Atlanta University--in 1957, Ms. Early began her career with Atlanta 
Public Schools as a music teacher. While teaching, she worked to expand 
access to music education for all students. In 1961, Ms. Early enrolled 
at the University of Georgia, helping to desegregate the graduate 
school. In 1962, Mary Frances Early made history when she became the 
first African-American to graduate from the University of Georgia, 
earning her master's degree in music education.
  As her career continued, Mary Frances Early became the first Black 
president of the Georgia Music Educators Association, where she 
traveled the State to support music organizations and advocate for 
music education. After dedicating 37 years to public music education, 
she later taught at Morehouse College and Spelman College and served as 
head of the music department at Clark Atlanta University.
  Ms. Early was also instrumental in creating the Atlanta Symphony 
Orchestra Talent Development Program, a first of its kind program 
designed to identify, mentor, and develop middle and high school 
Atlanta musicians from underrepresented groups for careers as 
professional classical musicians.
  In addition to these many accomplishments, the University of Georgia 
has honored Ms. Early's legacy by awarding her with the President's 
Medal in 2018, an endowed professorship, and two scholarships.
  On the 25th anniversary of the Mary Frances Early lecture series at 
the University of Georgia and the 5th anniversary of the naming of the 
University of Georgia's College of Education in her honor, I would like 
to thank Ms. Mary Frances Early for her tremendous contributions to 
music education and her lasting impact as a trailblazer for civil 
rights, inspiring generations of students, schools, and communities 
across our Nation.

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