[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29844]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           TRIBUTE TO MRS. LELER VIRGINIA SCARBOROUGH GEORGE

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                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2003

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of my 
constituents, Mrs. Leler Virginia Scarborough George, who celebrated 
her 100th Birthday on November 16, 2003. Mrs. George, whose life has 
reflected not only her exemplary character, courage and commitment to 
family, but also a dedication to the education of her children, her 
faith and an untiring work ethic.
  Mrs. George was born on November 16, 1903, to Samuel and Lydia 
Scarborough of Lee County in Bishopville, S.C. Later, Mrs. George 
married Jimmy George from Wysacky, SC. They purchased their first home 
on 75 acres of land, which Mrs. George still owns today. Mr. and Mrs. 
George placed great importance on educating their children and found 
the resources to send them to Mayesville Institute, a private, boarding 
school attended by the incomparable civil and human rights pioneer Mary 
McLeod Bethune. Despite grave challenges, the Georges successfully 
balanced the financial demands of schooling their children and running 
a farming operation.
  At the young age of 45, Mr. Jimmy George suddenly passed away, 
leaving Mrs. George with eight children to raise and a ninth child on 
the way. With undaunted courage, Mrs. George resolved to hold on to 
their home and farm, and continue pursuing their shared dreams. Mrs. 
George demonstrated her business acumen and success as a farmer by 
converting the horse and plow operations she inherited to a completely 
mechanized farm. In 1983, she was named by the Smithsonian Museum as 
head of one of the eight outstanding farm families in America.
  Mrs. George's greatest legacy and contribution to society are the 
self discipline and burning desire for education that she instilled in 
each of her children. All nine of whom went to college and received 
graduate degrees. Their achievements against remarkable odds attest to 
the determination and sacrifices of Mrs. George. Her oldest son, James, 
now deceased, attended Morris College, owned several businesses, and 
served as director of Training and Rehabilitation for the City of 
Sumter; Rosella G. Toney, now retired, was an Assistant Principal at 
Bishopville High School; Mary G. Hopkins, served as a college librarian 
at Virginia State University and retired as head librarian for Franklin 
County Middle School in Rocky Mount, VA; Dr. Ruth G. Kennedy retired 
from North Carolina Central University as an Associate Professor of 
English and served for a year as Executive Assistant to the Interim 
Chancellor; Ivorie Lowe retired as Dean of Girls at Bloom Township High 
School in Chicago, IL; Arthur L. George, formerly an educator with both 
local schools and the University of South Carolina at Spartanburg, 
retired as a sales manager with Prudential Insurance Company and 
presently serves as Senior Chaplain for the Fairfax County Adult 
Detention Center in Virginia; Kershaw George, a former University of 
South Carolina Administrator in Admissions, has become an entrepreneur; 
Dr. Eugene George, formerly an Assistant Professor of Education at the 
University of South Carolina and Associate Superintendent of Richland 
School District #1, is presently a school principal in Columbia; Doris 
Baskette, a former school principal, is now a principal leader and 
mentor with the South Carolina Department of Education.
  A dedicated and lifelong member of St. Mark Baptist Church, Mrs. 
George received St. Mark's ``Mother of the Church'' honor this year. An 
active member, she has served as president of the Missionary Society 
and Floral Club, Treasurer of the Sunday School, and member of the 
Usher Board. She maintains her political activism through her 
membership with the National Council of Negro Women.
  Mr. Speaker, Mrs. George's 100th birthday marks a life of stellar 
achievements, and she is still going strong. There is no question that 
Mrs. Leler Virginia Scarborough George is a role model for all of us, 
and ask you and my colleagues to join me in wishing her Godspeed.

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