HONORING AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO MS. ESSIE McCRAY

On 2026-07-13, Representative Frederica S. Wilson (D-FL-24) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO MS. ESSIE McCRAY" in the House.

HONORING AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO MS. ESSIE McCRAY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 113 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E672-E673] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING AND PAYING TRIBUTE TO MS. ESSIE McCRAY ______ HON. FREDERICA S. WILSON of florida in the house of representatives Monday, July 13, 2026 Ms. WILSON of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor one of South Florida's most respected and admired educators, the late Ms. Essie McCray. Ms. McCray's passion and desire to help people led her to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher and a social worker, and in doing so, she always encouraged others to live out and pursue their dreams. Her first teaching position was at Ada Merritt Middle School in Miami, Florida, where she nurtured and guided many young students eager to learn. Ms. McCray's career as an educator would span decades, leading her to become an Assistant Principal at Miami Northwestern Senior High School before her retirement. However, her penchant and desire to help others did not end with her retirement from the public school system but continued throughout her life and extended well beyond the classroom. Ms. McCray's countless acts of kindness and her overflowing generosity live on within all those who know and love her, especially her children: her daughter Kim McCray, her son James McCray and her mother Mrs. Minnie Robinson. Her extended family includes her brothers, James A. Bostic, Larry Young and William Robinson; her sister Patricia Canada and a host of aunts, uncles, loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Essie McCray was born on May 12, 1944, in Brunswick, Georgia to Minnie Robinson and the late James Bostic, Senior. Ms. McCray was educated within the Miami Dade County Public School System. Her studies continued at Florida A&M University, and she earned her Master of Science Degree in Social Work from Florida International University. Please join me in honoring the late Ms. Essie McCray for her unwavering faith and commitment to her community, family and friends. [[Page E673]] ____________________