[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E672-E673]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO MS. ESSIE McCRAY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 13, 2026

  Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and 
honor one of South Florida's most respected and admired educators, the 
late Ms. Essie McCray.
  Ms. McCray's passion and desire to help people led her to pursue her 
dream of becoming a teacher and a social worker, and in doing so, she 
always encouraged others to live out and pursue their dreams.
  Her first teaching position was at Ada Merritt Middle School in 
Miami, Florida, where she nurtured and guided many young students eager 
to learn. Ms. McCray's career as an educator would span decades, 
leading her to become an Assistant Principal at Miami Northwestern 
Senior High School before her retirement. However, her penchant and 
desire to help others did not end with her retirement from the public 
school system but continued throughout her life and extended well 
beyond the classroom.
  Ms. McCray's countless acts of kindness and her overflowing 
generosity live on within all those who know and love her, especially 
her children: her daughter Kim McCray, her son James McCray and her 
mother Mrs. Minnie Robinson. Her extended family includes her brothers, 
James A. Bostic, Larry Young and William Robinson; her sister Patricia 
Canada and a host of aunts, uncles, loving nieces, nephews, cousins and 
friends.
  Essie McCray was born on May 12, 1944, in Brunswick, Georgia to 
Minnie Robinson and the late James Bostic, Senior. Ms. McCray was 
educated within the Miami Dade County Public School System. Her studies 
continued at Florida A&M University, and she earned her Master of 
Science Degree in Social Work from Florida International University.
  Please join me in honoring the late Ms. Essie McCray for her 
unwavering faith and commitment to her community, family and friends.

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