[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6087]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MARGARET BRACEY PLEASANTS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2012

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
honor the life of Ms. Margaret Bracy Pleasants, a Florida-born teacher 
and active member of her community. Ms. Pleasants was 79 years of age.
  Ms. Pleasants placed great value in her involvement in various civic 
organizations and social clubs. Despite moving several times throughout 
her life, Ms. Pleasants was always an active member of her community, 
and made lasting connections with her neighbors. From her humble 
beginnings in Jacksonville, Florida, to her eventual move to Texas and 
California, Ms. Pleasants always left a lasting impression on those 
around her.
  Ms. Pleasants was blessed with musical talents, and used them in 
service to her local church.
  Ms. Pleasants always wanted to become an educator, and it was her 
dream to inspire future generations. She taught at the Bryant Academy 
and later at Jack Yates High School in Houston, Texas. Ms. Pleasants 
inspired her students and taught them the value of life. While teaching 
at Whaley Middle School in California, Ms. Pleasants formed the Human 
Relations Club, a group focused on bringing multicultural events to the 
entire student body. She used her love of different cultures to inspire 
her students, expand their horizons, and help them to embrace cultural 
diversity.
  Mr. Speaker, Margaret Pleasants enjoyed many simple pastimes and was 
always eager to share in those experiences with others. She understood 
well the importance of living in the moment and bestowing those values 
upon future generations. While her passing comes as a great loss to 
many, we may continue to look to her life for inspiration.

                          ____________________