Recognizing the Life and Service of Mildred McMillan Garrett

Floor Speech

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Mr. FALLON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the life and service of Mrs. Mildred McMillan Garrett. Mrs. Garrett enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in the Second World War as a cook.

A native of Emory, Texas, Mrs. Garrett was born on September 5, 1923, and was 1 of 7 children in a military family. Despite the challenges posed by segregated schooling and living through the hardships of the Great Depression, she excelled in her studies at the historic Rosenwald Schools at Sand Flat and Richland. Her lengthy public service career began as a soldier in the Women's Army Corps. She was 1 of only 2 women from Rains County to join. After the war, Mrs. Garrett attended Texas College and received a certificate in cosmetology. She married David Garrett on December 24, 1945, and raised many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

Mrs. Garrett was a longtime member of the Prairie Grove Baptist Church, where she often cooked for attendees and assisted in fundraising events. She was appointed to the Hope Well Cemetery Committee and served on the Board of Directors for the A.C. McMillan African American Museum. Furthermore, Mrs. Garrett was the first black woman to serve in numerous leadership positions across Rains County as a city councilmember and mayor pro tempore. Under her management, Emory experienced increased infrastructure development. At the same time, she continued to participate in volunteering and outreach efforts in her community. For her work and service, the Mildred McMillan Garrett Memorial Bridge is dedicated in her honor.

Her passion and love of God, family, and country will always be remembered. I have requested the United States flag to be flown over our Nation's Capital to recognize Mrs. Garrett's extraordinary life and service to our Nation.

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