The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“TRIBUTE TO JAMES H. MULLEN” mentioning the U.S. Dept of State was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1294-E1295 on July 10, 2001.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO JAMES H. MULLEN
______
HON. MARION BERRY
of arkansas
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, July 10, 2001
Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a great Arkansan and outstanding educator. I am proud to recognize James H. Mullen in the Congress for his invaluable contributions and service to his community, to our state, and to our nation.
For over three decades James Mullen of DeWitt, Arkansas has made a profound impact on the lives of people. Born in Mendenhall, Mississippi, James served in the United States Air Force during World War II. After being honorably discharged, he used the GI benefits to attend Mississippi State University, where he earned a degree in agriculture. That government investment would reap tremendous returns.
After graduating from Mississippi State, James moved to DeWitt, an area primarily dependent on its agrarian strengths. It was his responsibility to assist other veterans in developing their agricultural proficiency.
In 1955, James accepted a job with the DeWitt Independent School system teaching agriculture. For the next eleven years he would remain in this position. His influence far exceeded his teaching responsibilities.
It was not uncommon for young men to seek him out for personal counsel. His home was always open to young men who needed a listening ear, wise counsel, or any type of support. On one occasion a former student came to James and informed him he was going to quit college because of lack of funds. Although James didn't have the money to loan the student, he did the next best thing and went to the bank and secured a personal loan.
Each summer, in addition to visiting in the home of each student, James would take a group of students to camp. He had the unique ability to have fun with the students while maintaining an authoritarian position. On one visit to summer camp, the students destroyed his hat. With James, there were two things you never messed with: his hat or his pipe! Before nightfall, he had driven all those boys to town and required them to purchase a new hat. He never lost control!
In 1966, James joined the Arkansas State Department of Education as Associate Director of Petit Jean Vocational Technical School in Morrilton, Arkansas. He would remain in that position until 1970 when he was named Director of the Crowley's Ridge Vocational Technical School in Forrest City, Arkansas. At Crowley's Ridge, he inherited a fledgling institution and successfully restored the integrity of the institution.
Construction of the Rice Belt Vocational Technical School was approved in 1974. Community leaders from DeWitt would accept no other than James Mullen as first choice to head the school. Building a school from the ground had been his ambition, and he quickly acquiesced to return to his adopted hometown. Because of the strong foundation laid by James and others, Rice Belt still stands as a model institution for continuing education.
James is probably most proud of his long marriage to Mary Helen, and his children: Terry Mullen of Canyon Lake, Texas and Steve Mullen of Burleson, Texas.
James H. Mullen is an educator, advisor and friend to many. He has dedicated his life to serving his fellow citizens as a leader in both his profession and his community, and he deserves our respect and gratitude for his priceless contributions. On behalf of the Congress, I extend congratulations and best wishes to my good friend James H. Mullen, on his successes and achievements.
____________________
