[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 24507-24508] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF JAMES GATLIN ______ HON. KATHY CASTOR of florida in the house of representatives Monday, September 17, 2007 Ms. CASTOR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life and educational career of James Gatlin and to acknowledge his contributions as a mentor and role model to generations of Tampa Bay area students. Raised in Tampa, Florida, James Gatlin witnessed great changes in education throughout his life. He attended Middleton High, a black segregated high school, and quickly realized the importance of education. Gatlin recounted tales of receiving tattered books in school and being forced to sit in the back of public buses. Public education is the grand equalizer among people in our great country and he witnessed and valued black and white students learning side-by-side in the classroom and cheering together at the school's football games. James Gatlin attended Florida A&M University where he received his Bachelor's degree and later was awarded a Master's degree in Education from the Tuskegee Institute. He began his 45-year educational career in the Hillsborough County schools in 1963, teaching agricultural courses at Bethune School. In 1972, he served as Dean of Students at Buchanan Junior High School, and 6 years later, Gatlin was appointed Principal. In 1984, he became the popular Principal of Chamberlain High School and my principal as a high school student. He held this post for 10 years until 1994, when he was appointed General Director of Technical and Career Education. In 1989, he became aware that many black students were not graduating and began a mentoring program that included tours of university campuses. Gatlin was also a strong believer in helping students not attending college to find employment. He was promoted to general area director of Area II schools in 1997 until [[Page 24508]] he retired in 2003. His leadership was needed, however, and Gatlin returned to education and served as assistant principal for the Meacham Alternative School in 2004. He accepted his final position as principal of his alma mater, Middleton High School, in August 2005, a great joy for him personally, but a greater benefit to all who experienced his dedication and service there. ``Gat'' as he was called by those who knew him best, lived by the motto that ``education makes life better''. Many students took his motto to heart, and admired him for his strength of character as well as his genial spirit. Students admired his humorous spirit as well. He dressed up as the mascot during pep rallies and danced at homecoming events. Every year, Gatlin held a popular and delicious barbecue for the senior class. A former student remembered Principal Gatlin saying, ``He just made school fun''. The entire Hillsborough County community honors and remembers the 68 year life of James Gatlin, and we offer condolences to his wife Evelyn as well as his sons James III, Marcus, and Brent. James Gatlin molded the lives of generations of students through his dedication to education and to the community as a whole. His example will continue to live through those that worked with him and those who learned from him. ____________________