Showing posts with label School Visit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label School Visit. Show all posts

Friday, April 09, 2010

The best part of a very good week

On the heels of a very challenging week before recess, I am happy to report a series of pieces of good news. But, first I cannot help but saying the highlight of my week was telling a story about my neck tie to a four year old who asked what it was. At the very gracious invitations of their teachers, I got to spend time this week with a group of very inquisitive, cute and energetic three and four year olds at Corporate Kids, the child care center at the downtown Federal Building. I was happy to talk with the little ones about the most important issues facing them: why it is so important to listen to their parents and why they should not run off or leave the house without permission.

We then topped a productive meeting with cake. Friends, sometimes this job can really be a struggle, and then there are visits like this and it makes it all worthwhile. Thank you to some of my youngest constituents for a fantastic afternoon!




This week, I also visited the students at Hickman Mills High School who presented a check for $1,600 for Haitian relief efforts to be delivered to UMCOR an international non-profit. The young men and women at Hickman who spent their time and effort in service of those in need is, frankly, inspiring. I know their school and parents are very proud of them. I can tell you that the next time I see Secretary Clinton I will absolutely tell her of the efforts of these outstanding students. Schools in the Hickman Mills C-1 School District have raised more than $10,000 in cash and supplies for those who still struggle in Haiti. Simply awesome!

Friday, February 20, 2009

Ray-Pec High School visit

Yesterday morning, it was my honor to speak at the Black History Month celebration at Ray-Pec High School. I always enjoy visiting the students at Ray-Pec and have been there several times to teach civics and honor their dominating football team, but this was the first time I was there to present on the subject of diversity. I was very happy to see my friend, former Mayor Pro-Tem Alvin Brooks, on stage with me.

My message was one we all need to hear from time to time, I think. Though we may have all come to America on different ships, we are all in the same boat now. Bigotry and division hurt us all regardless of race.

I told the students of my dad’s father, my grandfather, who was a white man in a small Texas town married to my black grandmother with 18 children in tow.

When I was 8 years old, Grandpa Barton got sick. His daughter, my Aunt April, attempted to visit him in the “white” hospital. After hearing a ruckus in the hallway, my grandfather came out of his hospital room to see the doctors telling Aunt April she could not see her father, and further she needed to leave the building. After my ailing grandfather confirmed that April was indeed his daughter, she was given 3 minutes to visit and then forced to leave.

Working for racial harmony has not only been a life-time civic crusade, but is my personal family reality. It was my privilege to share with the students of Ray-Pec.