[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[SENA]
[Page 16423]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. HENRY GIVENS, JR.

 Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, today I congratulate Dr. Henry 
Givens, Jr. on his retirement and to thank him for his many years of 
leadership and service to the field of education. For over 50 years, 
Dr. Givens has been a champion of higher education and has fought to 
improve the lives of Missouri's students. It is my pleasure to honor 
him today.
  A native of St. Louis, MO, Dr. Givens attended public schools and 
received his bachelor's degree from Lincoln University, a master's 
degree from the University of Illinois, and his doctorate degree from 
Saint Louis University. Dr. Givens began his career in education as a 
fifth and sixth grade teacher in the Webster Groves School District in 
suburban St. Louis. After his work with the Webster Groves School 
District, Dr. Givens became the principal of the first prototype magnet 
school, Douglas Elementary School in St. Louis, MO. Under Dr. Given's 
guidance, Douglas Elementary faculty debuted revolutionary teaching 
techniques that are now standard classroom practices, helping to 
modernize Missouri's school systems.
  In 1973, Dr. Givens continued to break new ground when he became the 
first African-American assistant commissioner of education for the 
State of Missouri. Dr. Givens spent 5 years in that position before 
becoming president of Harris-Stowe University in 1979. When he first 
assumed leadership, Harris-Stowe State College offered one degree--
elementary education--and had only one building. During Dr. Givens' 32 
years as president of Harris-Stowe, the university expanded and 
upgraded facilities, tripled student population, and added 13 new 
degree programs. Dr. Givens' determined leadership shaped Harris-Stowe 
into the outstanding university it is today.
  In addition to his accomplishments in the field of education, Dr. 
Givens is affiliated with numerous national and local professional and 
social organizations and has received over 125 awards and recognitions 
for his service to his community. President Obama recently appointed 
Dr. Givens to the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Capital 
Finance Advisory Board, and Dr. Givens has served as the chairman of 
the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Statewide Celebration Commission for 
Missouri since its inception in 1986.
  It is my pleasure to honor Dr. Givens today. His dedicated leadership 
has improved the quality of the educational experience for Missourians. 
He has undoubtedly touched the lives of many and improved the quality 
of the community at large.
  Mr. President, I ask that the Senate join me in congratulating and 
honoring Dr. Henry Givens, Jr.

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