[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6598-6599]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO DR. MONA BETHEL JACKSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. KENDRICK B. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 5, 2009

  Mr. MEEK of Florida. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to 
Dr. Mona Bethel Jackson on the occasion of her retirement from the 
Miami-Dade County Public School System (MDCPS) with nearly 39 years of 
service and dedication.

[[Page 6599]]

  Dr. Jackson, a native Miamian, was born to Charles Edward Bethel and 
Olga Goodman Bethel Williams. After graduating from George Washington 
Carver High School, she furthered her education at Florida Agricultural 
& Mechanical University. She then obtained her master's degree in 
guidance and counseling from Florida Atlantic University and her 
doctorate in educational administration and supervision from Florida 
International University. She also attended Principal Institutes at 
Fordham University and Harvard University, and was the first African-
American woman to serve as president of the Florida Counseling 
Association.
  She began her professional career as a science teacher at Charles R. 
Drew Junior High School. She served as principal of Richmond Heights 
Middle School for the past 11 years and is currently serving as mentor 
principal at Miami Edison Senior High School. Moreover, she is also the 
first African-American to serve as principal of Redland Middle School. 
She previously served as lead principal of Miami Southridge Senior High 
School feeder pattern. In 1999, Richmond Heights Middle School was 
named a semifinalist for the National Alliance of Black School 
Educators Award. The school earned a grade of B in 2006 and A in 2008 
on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). It is quite clear 
that Dr. Jackson has been successful at meeting the challenge of 
educating the needs of her community's young people.
  Additionally, Dr. Jackson complimented her educational achievements 
with her involvement in various organizations such as Delta Sigma Theta 
Sorority's National, Collegiate and Alumnae Chapters; Jack and Jill of 
America, Incorporated; Haitian Refugee Center Board of Directors; 
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Incorporated, Dade County 
Chapter; National Council of Jewish Women's Teen Violence Intervention 
Program Board and life member of the National Association for the 
Advancement of Colored People; National Council of Negro Women; and Red 
Hat Society. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and organizing 
activities.
  This public servant is married to Herman Jackson, and has two 
children, Keane Sean (Kelsey) and Herman, II (Cassie), and five 
grandchildren. She has been a diligent and dedicated member at Christ 
Episcopal Church where she currently serves as a teller and president 
of the Episcopal Church Women.
  Madam Speaker, it is an honor to have the privilege of honoring Dr. 
Jackson, a valued educator of the Miami-Dade County community and 
beyond. She can look back on a proud career of service and distinction 
in education and community leadership. Now, in retirement, she embarks 
upon new challenges in life and I am certain her legacy of greatness 
will only grow and develop as she enters this new phase of life. I 
invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Dr. Mona Bethel Jackson 
every happiness and many years of continued success.

                          ____________________