[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 14250-14251]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF DR. EDWIN AND MRS. MARY ELLEN 
                               HENDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2005

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
family from Virginia's Eighth Congressional District whose recognition 
is long overdue. For every person of national recognition there is a 
local leader that accomplishes much under the shadow of their more 
recognized peers. Two of these people are Dr. Edwin and Mrs. Mary Ellen 
Henderson, civil rights pioneers from Northern Virginia who have worked 
for social justice for nearly 50 years. The couple, who were married 
for 65 years, worked tirelessly for the education of African American 
children. They also chronicled the early civil rights struggles in 
letters to the editor published around the country and energized their 
community in Northern Virginia to join the Nation's civil rights 
movement.
  The Hendersons viewed education as one of the primary sources of 
human progress, and they both served their communities as teachers. 
Mary Ellen filled the difficult position of teaching the fourth, fifth, 
sixth and sevenths grades in the local segregated schoolhouse. The two-
room facility overflowed with children, and it was heated by a potbelly 
stove and that lacked running water. Despite these difficult conditions 
of segregation, Mary Ellen taught with vitality and enthusiasm. Not 
satisfied with her inequitable surroundings, Mary Ellen worked to 
improve the conditions around her. By her own measure, she launched a 
study into the disparity between white and black schoolhouses, focusing 
on the learning environment and resources. Mary Ellen's work led

[[Page 14251]]

to the formation of an interracial committee in Fairfax County, and 
ultimately the decision of the school administration to build the first 
new school for African American children in the area.
  Dr. Edwin Henderson also dedicated his life to education. He focused 
his efforts on the promotion of interscholastic athletics and was 
certified as the first African American man to teach Physical Education 
in public schools. An avid basketball player himself, Edwin is credited 
with introducing the sport to the Washington, D.C. area as well as 
promoting athletics within the surrounding African American community. 
He organized the Interscholastic Athletic Association for black 
schools, the Public School Athletic League, and the Eastern Board of 
Officials for African American athletes. In addition, Edwin authored 
several books that spread awareness about the emergence of black 
sports. His groundbreaking works included ``The Official Spaulding 
Handbook,'' ``The Negro in Sports,'' and also ``The Black Athlete: 
Emergence and Arrival.'' Edwin was a powerful force behind the positive 
recognition accorded to these athletes. As a result of his efforts, 
Edwin was admitted as a charter member to the Black Athletes Hall of 
Fame.
  The Hendersons also endeavored to improve the rights of African 
Americans in their community. In 1915, their hometown of Falls Church, 
Virginia, proposed to segregate all African Americans to a designated 
living area. The couple vehemently challenged the law by uniting people 
under the Colored Citizens' Protective League (CCPL). The CCPL 
succeeded not only in defeating the segregation ordinance, but also in 
advancing numerous civil rights endeavors. The organization later 
became the first rural branch of the National Association for the 
Advancement of Colored People, in which the couple was highly active.
  The Henderson's contributions were extensive and continued to be felt 
throughout Northern Virginia. Although they coveted no recognition for 
themselves, these extraordinary individuals not only affected their 
community, but also helped shape the Nation. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to 
honor these great Americans today.

                          ____________________