[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6641]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE OF MRS. SHIRLEY BLUITT LEONARD

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 30, 2014

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
recognize beloved wife, mother, grandmother, Mrs. Shirley Bluitt 
Leonard, who passed away on Sunday, April 13, surrounded by her family. 
Mrs. Leonard was born in Mexia, TX to John C. Bluitt and Katie Wiley 
Bluitt Hurd. She graduated from Dunbar High School of Mexia in 1953. In 
1956, she received the B.A. degree in Business from Wiley College in 
Marshall, TX. She earned the Master of Education from Prairie View A&M 
University (formerly Prairie View A&M College) in 1964. It was at 
Prairie View A&M University, on the steps of Suarez Hall, that she met 
her husband of 50 years Joe. E. Leonard, Sr. on February 28, 1964. Joe 
and Shirley Leonard graduated from the Master's program at PVAMU, 
marching together in May, 1964. She soon became certified as an 
educator in the State of Texas in Supervision and as a Reading 
Specialist, and subsequently took graduate education courses at the 
University of North Texas and Colorado University in Denver.
  Mrs. Leonard's lifelong passion was educating others. During the 
course of her professional career, she taught in the Cleburne 
Independent School District, Aldine I.S.D., Austin I.S.D., and served 
as a Reading Specialist throughout the state of Texas. In the latter 
role, she supervised and coordinated the Title I Reading Program for 
the Austin Independent School District and coordinated programs for the 
Texas Youth Commission, formerly known as the Texas Youth Council. Mrs. 
Leonard was also a small business entrepreneur who owned and operated a 
beauty and fashion boutique for several years.
  Mrs. Leonard was the mother of Dr. Joe E. Leonard, Jr., whom I also 
know personally through his work serving as Assistant Secretary for 
Civil Rights for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and previously as 
the lead staff member for the Congressional Black Caucus. Mrs. Leonard, 
a vivacious, spirited, and loving presence among her family, friends, 
and the many students she taught over the years, will be deeply missed. 
I extend my deepest condolences to the Leonard family during this time 
of grieving. Our country has benefitted immensely from Mrs. Leonard's 
career and her memory will continue to inspire others. Through her life 
she has created positive pathways for many future generations.

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