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Congressional Daily Record
This section is a tribute, commemoration, or district-facing statement. It mentions members such as James Enos Clyburn. Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
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October 9, 2026
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Extensions of Remarks
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Download official Extensions PDFReturn to issue contextHON. JAMES E. CLYBURN
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and enduring legacy of Ms. Edith Lila Frierson, a pioneering educator whose extraordinary devotion to the children of Wadmalaw Island transformed a school, strengthened a community, and opened doors of opportunity for generations. On October 24, 2026, the Wadmalaw Island community will commemorate one hundred years since Ms. Frierson first arrived on the island to educate its children. As a historical marker is unveiled in her honor, we celebrate a remarkable woman whose nearly half-century of service continues to inspire us today.
Ms. Frierson was born on October 2, 1908, in Charleston, South Carolina, to Edward and Elizabeth Frierson. She was educated at Avery Teacher Training High School and South Carolina State College. Armed with an education and a calling to serve, Ms. Frierson made her way to Wadmalaw Island, where she would devote her professional life to ensuring that its children received the education and opportunities they deserved.
For forty-eight years, Ms. Frierson served as both teacher and principal at the former Rockville Elementary School. Her work came during an era when educational opportunities for African American children in rural South Carolina were severely limited. Under her leadership, the school grew from a one-room schoolhouse into a modern educational facility, completed in 1954 as part of South Carolina's Equalization School program.
Ms. Frierson was much more than an administrator. She was a teacher, mentor, advocate, and stabilizing force in the lives of countless children and their families. Her commitment to excellence and opportunity helped
Island. She understood that education could change the trajectory of a child's life and, in turn, transform an entire community. In 1974, the Charleston County School District recognized her extraordinary contributions by renaming Rockville Elementary School in her honor. Today, Edith L. Frierson Elementary School remains Wadmalaw Island's only public school and stands as a lasting testament to her service.
Ms. Frierson passed away on February 3, 1998, but her influence did not end with her passing. It lives in the former students she taught, the families she strengthened, those who have walked through the schoolhouse doors bearing her name, and those who will in the future.
Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in honoring Ms. Edith Lila Frierson on this historic centennial. One hundred years after she first arrived on Wadmalaw Island, we remember a woman of perseverance, dignity, and unwavering commitment to public service. The historical marker being unveiled in her honor will remind future generations that one devoted educator can transform countless lives. Ms. Frierson's legacy is a living testament to the power of education, the importance of service, and the enduring difference one person can make.