[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9469]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING MRS. JOSEPHINE TILLMAN SINGLETON

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 18, 2013

  Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a 
remarkable civil servant and extraordinary educator, Mrs. Josephine 
Tillman Singleton. Her service to education and the community spans 
over 35 years.
  Mrs. Josephine Tillman Singleton was born October 1, 1940 to Mr. 
Earnest and Mrs. Parthinia Salone. Under the care and love of her 
grandparents, Mr. Spencer Graham and Mrs. Mary Tillman. Mrs. Singleton 
grew up in the St. Thomas community in Hinds County, Mississippi. She 
received a formal education at St. Thomas Elementary and Sumner Hill 
High Schools. She matriculated at Utica Junior College in Utica, 
Mississippi and later furthered her studies at Jackson State 
University. For all who know her, Mrs. Singleton is a true champion for 
early childhood education and her professional career speaks volumes of 
the works and contributions she has made on behalf of preschool aged 
children and individuals in her community.
  In 1965, Mrs. Singleton began her career in early childhood education 
by becoming a volunteer at St. Thomas Elementary School. In June 1966, 
the federally funded Headstart programs were initiated in the St. 
Thomas community, allowing Mrs. Singleton to become an official teacher 
at the school. During her years as an educator, Mrs. Singleton was well 
known for her motherly, nurturing spirit and her love and willingness 
to help others. Her exceptional work as an educator granted her the 
opportunity to become the first appointed Center Administrator in the 
Hinds County Headstart System. She continued in that position until 
September 2004, distinguishing her as the oldest operating Center 
Administrator. During her tenure, she also served as the first 
officiating president for the district Association of Center 
Administrators for Hinds County Human Resource Agency (HCHRA).
  Her influence in the community not only touched the children she 
educated, but also the parents and numerous close-knit community 
organizations. Her devotion to positive outreach inspired at least 20 
parents of the St. Thomas community to ultimately serve as presidents 
of the HCHRA Policy Council. Mrs. Singleton was an integral part of the 
4-H Club, which emphasized horticulture and other subject areas. The 
organization participated yearly in events on a state and national 
scale.
  In order to help parents seeking a better future for themselves and 
their families, Mrs. Singleton used her influence as a board member for 
General Education Development (GED) with the Clinton Public School 
district by arranging class schedules held at the St. Thomas Headstart 
Center. She also assisted adolescents with employment opportunities 
through her coordinated efforts with the Neighborhood Youth Challenge.
  Mrs. Singleton was instrumentally involved in various political 
campaigns. Her innumerable connections within the community were a 
tremendous asset to those seeking public office in and around Bolton, 
Clinton, Edwards, and Raymond, Mississippi. Her outreach efforts are 
also marked by her participation in the annual Christmas Cheer drive, 
which is geared towards delivering food items and holiday cheer to 
those who are homebound and elderly. She also served as president of 
numerous community outreach organizations, such as the Kitchen 
Ministry, the Neighborhood Watch, and the St. Thomas Recreation 
Association.
  Currently, Mrs. Singleton enjoys her days spending time with her 
husband, Mr. Johnny Singleton, Sr., with whom she has been married to 
for almost 50 years, her five children: Perry, Cathedral, Johnny, Jr., 
Shauna, and Shantae; and her grandchildren. She is a lifelong member of 
the St. Thomas Missionary Baptist Church, where she serves as Sunday 
school teacher.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mrs. 
Josephine Tillman Singleton for her dedication and service as a 
respected educator and her commendable contributions made to early 
childhood education and the St. Thomas community.

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