[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 657]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

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                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2004

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great sense of honor that I 
rise to celebrate Black History Month and its 2004 theme--Celebrating 
the 50th Anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education. On May 17th of 
this year, we will celebrate the anniversary of the Supreme Court's 
decision to desegregate public schools in America. Because of this 
ruling, many significant pathways have been opened within our country 
that focus on justice, equality, and the importance of education.
  As we reflect on the importance of the Brown v. Board of Education 
ruling, I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to an 
individual from the First Congressional District that has represented 
the epitome of leadership in education within the African-American 
community, Dr. YJean Chambers. YJean passed away on Wednesday, November 
12th, 2003, but her legacy of courage and dedication continues to 
inspire us all each day.
  YJean and her family moved to Gary, Indiana from Kentucky when she 
was a young girl, seeking a better life for themselves. In 1939, she 
graduated from Gary Roosevelt High School ranking second in her class, 
and then went on to earn her Bachelor of Education degree from Illinois 
State University. She also went on to earn her Master of Arts degree 
from Purdue University, where she received Purdue University's highest 
award, Doctor of Humane Letters in 1993.
  YJean knew how important education was to all members of her 
community and therefore shared her gift of knowledge and enthusiasm for 
learning by becoming a teacher in Madison, Illinois. After two years 
she began teaching speech and drama at her alma mater, Gary Roosevelt 
High School. In 1971, YJean became a full time professor at Purdue 
Calumet in Hammond, Indiana where she taught communications and was 
appointed Assistant Professor of Communications in 1973.
  YJean gave selflessly to her community in so many ways, including 
being a member of several important educational organizations. She 
served as President of the Steel City Hall of Fame, sat on the Service 
Academies Nomination Board, was a member of the Board of Trustees of 
the Gary Community Schools, and was also a member of the Board of 
Directors of the Indiana School Board Association. YJean made history 
in Northwest Indiana by becoming the first African American woman 
elected to the Northwest Indiana Crime Commission and the first woman 
to serve on the Advisory Board of the Bank of Indiana.
  Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate the anniversary of Brown v. Board of 
Education throughout Black History Month, let us pay tribute to our 
country's educational leaders such as Dr. YJean Chambers, who have 
taught us the true values of equality and determination. I respectfully 
ask that you and my other colleagues join me in commending Dr. 
Chambers, as well as all other outstanding African-American leaders in 
education for their efforts to build a better society for our country 
and the citizens of Northwest Indiana.

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