I wish to pay tribute to the life and accomplishments of my friend, Mae Grayson Hamilton, who passed away on October 17, 2001, in Little Rock, Arkansas.

 A Dumas, Arkansas, native, Mae was a longtime teacher in the public school system in my hometown of Prescott.  During the course of her career, she enriched the lives of generations of Prescott school children through her love for her students and dedication to teaching.  As an educator, she was an active member of the National Education Association, the Arkansas Education Association, the Literacy Council and the Nevada County Retired Teachers Association. 

 Mae was also a devoted member of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Broughton, Arkansas.  In the church, she served a deaconess and a member of the Hospitality Committee, the Outreach Mission and the Women's Missionary Society.  In addition, she gave of her time to be Children’s Church Coordinator and Chair of the Program Committee.  

Mae Grayson Hamilton was truly a role model not only to our young people, but to all those who knew her well.  Her passing is a great loss to her former students, her church family, and all the people of Nevada County.  I am grateful for her lifelong commitment to education and her community, and I was proud to represent her in the United States House of Representatives.

 My heart goes out to Mae’s husband, Johnny Hamilton, Jr., and her two daughters, Michele Hamilton Rhodes and Nicole Hamilton, and my thoughts and prayers are with all her family and friends.