[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12852-12853]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       TRIBUTE TO JAMES H. MULLEN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 10, 2001

  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great 
Arkansan and outstanding educator. I am proud to recognize James H. 
Mullen in the Congress for his invaluable contributions and service to 
his community, to our state, and to our nation.

[[Page 12853]]

  For over three decades James Mullen of DeWitt, Arkansas has made a 
profound impact on the lives of people. Born in Mendenhall, 
Mississippi, James served in the United States Air Force during World 
War II. After being honorably discharged, he used the GI benefits to 
attend Mississippi State University, where he earned a degree in 
agriculture. That government investment would reap tremendous returns.
  After graduating from Mississippi State, James moved to DeWitt, an 
area primarily dependent on its agrarian strengths. It was his 
responsibility to assist other veterans in developing their 
agricultural proficiency.
  In 1955, James accepted a job with the DeWitt Independent School 
system teaching agriculture. For the next eleven years he would remain 
in this position. His influence far exceeded his teaching 
responsibilities.
  It was not uncommon for young men to seek him out for personal 
counsel. His home was always open to young men who needed a listening 
ear, wise counsel, or any type of support. On one occasion a former 
student came to James and informed him he was going to quit college 
because of lack of funds. Although James didn't have the money to loan 
the student, he did the next best thing and went to the bank and 
secured a personal loan.
  Each summer, in addition to visiting in the home of each student, 
James would take a group of students to camp. He had the unique ability 
to have fun with the students while maintaining an authoritarian 
position. On one visit to summer camp, the students destroyed his hat. 
With James, there were two things you never messed with: his hat or his 
pipe! Before nightfall, he had driven all those boys to town and 
required them to purchase a new hat. He never lost control!
  In 1966, James joined the Arkansas State Department of Education as 
Associate Director of Petit Jean Vocational Technical School in 
Morrilton, Arkansas. He would remain in that position until 1970 when 
he was named Director of the Crowley's Ridge Vocational Technical 
School in Forrest City, Arkansas. At Crowley's Ridge, he inherited a 
fledgling institution and successfully restored the integrity of the 
institution.
  Construction of the Rice Belt Vocational Technical School was 
approved in 1974. Community leaders from DeWitt would accept no other 
than James Mullen as first choice to head the school. Building a school 
from the ground had been his ambition, and he quickly acquiesced to 
return to his adopted hometown. Because of the strong foundation laid 
by James and others, Rice Belt still stands as a model institution for 
continuing education.
  James is probably most proud of his long marriage to Mary Helen, and 
his children: Terry Mullen of Canyon Lake, Texas and Steve Mullen of 
Burleson, Texas.
  James H. Mullen is an educator, advisor and friend to many. He has 
dedicated his life to serving his fellow citizens as a leader in both 
his profession and his community, and he deserves our respect and 
gratitude for his priceless contributions. On behalf of the Congress, I 
extend congratulations and best wishes to my good friend James H. 
Mullen, on his successes and achievements.

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