COMMEMORATING TOWN OF RAYVILLE AND EULA D. BRITTON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION; Congressional Record Vol. 166, No. 47
(House of Representatives - March 11, 2020)
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[Page H1591]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
COMMEMORATING TOWN OF RAYVILLE AND EULA D. BRITTON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Louisiana (Mr. Abraham) for 5 minutes.
Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the efforts of
the town of Rayville, Louisiana, and the Eula D. Britton Alumni
Association to preserve their community's heritage.
The only part of Eula D. Britton school still standing is its
gymnasium, but that didn't stop the 1960 graduate class from doing
something good. Quincy Mason, who is in the audience today, and the
rest of the alumni association purchased and turned it into a museum,
showcasing the school's history.
First known as Rayville Colored School, its first class of 11
students graduated in 1939. It was renamed Rayville Rosenwald High
School in 1949, and eventually Eula D. Britton High School in 1956
after its long-serving principal, Eula D. Britton.
In 2014, Quincy Mason, who is present here today in the House
gallery, as I said, had the idea to petition for a historical marker to
commemorate the school's history for generations to come. This year, on
July 3, it will become a reality when the marker is dedicated by its
alumni association.
The town of Rayville, Louisiana, is proud of Quincy Mason, who went
on to play professional baseball for the Chicago Cubs organization and
was inducted into the Southern University Sports Hall of Fame in 2015.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring the town of Rayville and the
Eula D. Britton Alumni Association for their efforts to preserve their
community's rich history.
Thanking Ronnie Anderson
Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank Mr. Ronnie Anderson
for his 51 years of service to Louisiana farmers and ranchers.
After graduating from LSU in 1970 with a degree in animal science,
Ronnie returned home to work on his family's farm. He quickly became
involved in the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation and was elected
president of his parish chapter shortly thereafter.
In 1989, he was elected president of the statewide farm bureau, and
he has been elected an additional 31 times since.
I have known Ronnie personally for many, many years as a farmer
myself, and it has always been clear to me that he loves Louisiana
agriculture. When I was elected to Congress, I came to rely on his
counsel to advocate for our farmers and ranchers.
During his tenure, the Louisiana Farm Bureau has grown from 67,000
members to more than 148,000, and Ronnie still raises several hundred
head of cattle, as well as horses, hay, and timber, on his farm in East
and West Feliciana Parishes in my congressional district.
In addition to his work at home and with the farm bureau, Ronnie has
served for all but 2 years since 1997 on the Louisiana State University
Board of Supervisors.
Mr. Speaker, please join me in thanking Ronnie Anderson for his many,
many years of service to Louisiana and wish him well as he retires
after 31 years as president of the Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation.
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