Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize the outstanding and invaluable contributions African Americans during Black History Month and all year long.  I am proud to pay tribute to African American men and women who exemplify the spirit of selfless and patriotic service.

I rise today to honor the life of a true champion of education, Lew Williams. His 36-year career in public service and his tireless efforts to improve the lives of children will be remembered forever. Born in Baker Count, Georgia, Mr. Williams grew up in poverty and knew education was his ticket to a better life. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina and his Masters Degree from South Carolina State University. He married his beloved wife, Arthurene Sims and they had two children: Brandi, a literacy specialist at Melrose Elementary, and Brandon, a student at Stetson University College of Law.

 In 1970, Mr. Williams began his career in education as a social studies teacher at Dunedin Middle. He soon rose to be principal of Fairmount Park, South Ward, Dunedin Elementary, and Seminole Middle as well as Pinellas Park High. He became the Director of School Operations in 1987 and was promoted to Associate Superintendent for Pupil Assignment and Area II Superintendent of Pinellas County Schools before his retirement in 2005.  Mr. Williams was elected to Pinellas County School Board in 2010.

Although Mr. Williams was a soft-spoken man, when he spoke people listened. In his tireless dedication to his students, he wanted not only to educate them through books, but to equip them with life skills to succeed. He recognized the challenges that low-income and minority students faced, so he worked tirelessly to build relationships and connect with children and their families. He constantly pushed to create opportunities for those students some may have forgotten.

Mr. Williams always seemed to have the pulse of the district’s needs and how to address them. He faced budget crises head-on while closing the achievement gap between races and income levels. He saw the need and spearheaded an effort to implement measures that dealt with chronically disruptive students in ways that integrated rather than alienated. He strived to give parents the tools they need to help their children succeed in academics and life.

After his retirement in 2005, he and his wife ran a preschool and he subsequently won the School Board seat. His slogan was "Keep the main thing the main thing." And that philosophy defined his approach of always putting children first regardless of status or race. Mr. Williams passed away December 3, 2011 but his legacy will live on through the many of student’s lives he has changed for the better.