The publication is reproduced in full below:
JAMES L. ``WINKY'' CAMPHOR: HUMBLE HOMETOWN HERO, CHAMPION FOR CHILDREN
AND FOR COPPIN STATE
______
HON. KWEISI MFUME
of maryland
in the house of representatives
Friday, February 4, 2022
Mr. MFUME. Madam Speaker, it has often been said ``Education is the Key'' that unlocks the future for people seeking a better life. The person I rise for today could really be considered the ``Locksmith'' for Baltimore's kids. From teaching at public schools to educating juvenile detainees, his compassion for others motivated him to give freely the keys to set minds free for higher endeavors. A life-long educator and philanthropist of modest means, he gave of himself to the Baltimore Community, its schools as well as to Coppin State University. He was the epitome of the humble hometown hero. I am honored to stand today for the recently departed James Leroy ``Winky'' Camphor, age 94.
After teaching for 43 years in the Baltimore City Schools, in his love for youth and the underserved, he assumed the role as Superintendent at the Cheltenham School for Boys. He was ever devoted to unlocking doors for at risk children and those within the juvenile justice system. In all his unselfish endeavors, he never sought accolades. As one whose salaries were always modest, his charitable gift of $200,000 to his beloved alma mater, Coppin State, was an incredible gift. Imagine the number of students who have been helped and will be helped with books, meals, and transit costs. He was a man of noble stature, a man of an unquenchable thirst to empower others, and a man who gave unselfishly of his talents, his finances, his inspiration, and never sought recognition nor praise.
This from a family man of modest means who according to the Baltimore Evening Sun ``scrimped and saved'' over his whole career in education. He loved Coppin State so much he married the former Florine ``Peaches'' Harrison, a city public school educator who graduated from Coppin in 1958, whom he met at a meeting of Coppin's alumni association. And together they grew their philanthropy.
Additionally, he holds the record for scoring 50 points in a basketball game at Coppin State, a record, which has never been broken.
As a champion for children and all the causes he held near and dear to his heart, he received numerous awards. The prestigious listing includes organizations and affiliations such as: the National Association for Equal Opportunity in High Education Distinguished Alumni Award, State of Maryland Faithful Citizen Award, Children's Cancer Center Volunteer Award, Heart of Love Award, the Harlow Fullwood Award, the National Association for Sickle Cell Outstanding Member Award, Maryland Department of Mental Health and Hygiene Service Award, City of Baltimore Citizen's Award, National Federation of the Blind Service Award and the list goes on.
James Leroy Camphor, son of James Camphor and Emma Camphor, was born in Baltimore and grew up near Hollins Market in Southwest Baltimore. Raised by a single mother, he reflected the value of hard honest work in his childhood job of shining shoes. The beginnings may have been humble, but they did not define nor stymie him. He rose to become a champion for children and the underserved and a philanthropist for Coppin State University. He gave freely of that which were his. It is my honor to stand today, Madam Speaker, in recognition of James Leroy ``Winky'' Camphor and the memory of a man who shared the keys of education, charity, compassion, humility and strong moral values--a true Baltimore hometown hero.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 23
The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
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