[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20334]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO DOROTHY WASHINGTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE McINTYRE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2007

  Mr. McINTYRE. Madam Speaker, Mary McLeod Bethune once said, ``We have 
a powerful potential in our youth, and we must have the courage to 
change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward 
good ends.'' As one of the most influential African-American educators 
of our time, Mary McLeod Bethune knew this better than most, dedicating 
her life to the principle that learning is a lifelong process and as a 
result, knows no bounds in the difference it can make.
  Another woman who dedicated her life to this principal was Dorothy 
Washington of Lumberton, North Carolina, who recently passed away.
  Ms. Washington entered graduate school in 1947, a time when many 
African-American women were prohibited from attending universities and 
segregation in public schools was widespread. Despite these 
intimidating barriers, Ms. Washington remained steadfastly determined 
to pursue her dream of a higher education and became a role model for 
those in her community. She instilled this very same determination in 
every life she touched.
  My wife recently attended Ms. Washington's funeral and was impressed 
by the number of people who expressed how Ms. Washington had touched 
their lives. Ms. Washington had touched my family's life during her 
retirement years, when she was kind enough to care for our two sons 
(who were toddlers at the time) so that we could participate in a 
weekly Bible study luncheon. She was always gracious, kind, patient, 
and understanding--ever ready to help. We were blessed by her kindness.
  During her four decades teaching in Robeson County, Ms. Washington 
cared deeply for her students, sharing with them her passion for Greek 
and Roman mythological literature, often buying textbooks with money 
out of her own pocket. She had a genuine appreciation for the arts and 
humanities, serving as choir director and school librarian. Ms. 
Washington was determined to educate her students on the adventures 
that could be found outside the municipal lines of a small, rural town, 
while simultaneously cultivating an appreciation for the treasures that 
could be found in their own backyards.
  She received her undergraduate degree from Saint Augustine College in 
Raleigh, North Carolina, and went on to earn her master's at the 
University of Michigan.
  Madam Speaker, what an amazing place the world would be if we all had 
the influence of a Dorothy Washington in our lives! This small-town 
educator has left behind a deep legacy that spans generations and will 
surely continue for many years to come.
  May God bless to our memories the work of Dorothy Washington and the 
lives she touched.

                          ____________________