[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8113]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                   TRIBUTE TO DR. BETTY WARD FLETCHER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2001

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special 
tribute to Dr. Betty Ward Fletcher. Dr. Fletcher is a trail blazer, a 
persistent advocate, a remarkable woman and outstanding leader. She has 
proven time and time again that one person can make a difference.
  Dr. Fletcher, a native of Rankin County, received her undergraduate 
degree in Sociology from Tougaloo College. She received her master and 
doctoral in Social Work from the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa.
  From 1975 through 2000, Dr. Fletcher dedicated her life to providing 
information and ideas on behaviors of societies to Jackson State 
University. She was the founding director of the Student Intervention 
and Information Program of Interdisciplinary Alcohol/Drug Studies 
Center. She has worked in various scholarly positions such as Associate 
Director of Graduate Program in Alcohol/Drug Studies, Instructor, 
Associate Professor, Acting Director, Acting Graduate Dean and Vice 
President for Research and Development of Sociology Department. In 
addition, she excelled her instructional focus on research and 
evaluation of sociology by serving as an adjunct Professor at the 
University of Southern Mississippi, School of Social Work.
  Dr. Fletcher's research focus has been the study of social and 
behavioral correlation of substance abuse and HIV/AIDS. She has 
generated over $17.5 million in externally funded initiatives, while 
simultaneously fulfilling her administrative duties.
  In 1999, Dr. Fletcher was Jackson State's first-ever Vice President 
for Research and Development. During her leadership, the University 
garnered a $2 million donation and a $12.9 million research award. This 
award was to serve as the coordination center for the Jackson Heart 
Study, the largest study of cardiovascular disease ever undertaken in 
the nation.
  In 1999, Dr. Fletcher was named Interim President of Jackson State 
University by unanimous consent of the Board of Trustees, State 
Institutions of Higher Learning. She was then labeled a ``charismatic, 
courageous and visionary leader'' for her success in launching the 
School of Engineering and building a strong support base with the 
business community for the University.
  In 2000, she was appointed as Executive Director of the Mississippi 
Department of Human Services (MDHS) and had oversight for a $438 
million budget and 4,168 employees. Dr. Fletcher made a positive 
difference and a goal was to build cooperative working relationships 
with other state agencies.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Fletcher is proudly recognized by the state of 
Mississippi and the United States of America as a visionary for all 
people. On behalf of the people of the 2nd Congressional district, I 
salute her.

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