Michael Waltz: “Today I rise to celebrate one of the most prominent African American women in my community and our Nation's history, Dr.…”

“Today I rise to celebrate one of the most prominent African American women in my community and our Nation's history, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. At an early age, Dr. Bethune took an interest in the power of learning and promoting civil rights. In 1904, Dr. Bethune opened the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in Daytona Beach, which later merged with the Cookman Institute for Men in Jacksonville to form Bethune-Cookman College, now University, where she served as president. As Dr. Bethune worked to build the school she founded, she also became a national leader on issues related to civil rights, women, and young people, even providing counsel to U.S. Presidents. In 2018, the Florida legislature passed and the governor signed legislation to place a statue in her honor representing Florida in the National Statuary Hall collection here in the Capitol. Dr. Bethune knew education is the key to a quality life and a better life, and it is my honor to recognize her contributions on the floor here today. ____________________”