"Dedicated
to the young ladies of Creighton Court in Richmond, Virginia and Sursum Corda
neighborhood in Washington, D.C." These profound words may be found on
the first page of Never Forget, the memoirs of Kay Coles James, a former
university dean, a former top-level government official, and a former resident
of public housing.
Mrs. James’ rise from public housing began with a strong, encouraging and supportive
family and led her to one of America's premiere institutions of higher education,
Hampton University.
After stints in the private sector and after being tapped as an effective leader,
Mrs. James was appointed to several federal and state posts. She served former
U.S. President George Bush as assistant secretary for public affairs at the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and as associate director for the
White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Virginians became familiar with the Richmond native when she served as the Secretary
of Health and Human Resources, a position to which she was appointed by former
Virginia Governor George Allen in January 1994.
Mrs. James served as the dean of Regent University's Robertson School of Government
in Virginia Beach, Virginia, from March 1996 until the summer of 1999.
In addition, she was appointed in May 1997 as chair of the National Gambling
Impact Study Commission by members of Congress. Mrs. James was charged with
examining the social and economic impacts of legalized gambling in the United
States. Last year, the commission reported its findings and recommendations
to Congress. Mrs. James was commended -- by both gambling opponents and proponents
-- for her professional, fair and objective chairmanship.
She currently is the senior fellow for The Citizenship Project at The Heritage
Foundation, a leading conservative research and educational institute based
in Washington, D.C.
The mother of three shares these words of wisdom: "In order to honor the
legacy of those who have come before you, it is your responsibility as a citizen
to reject cynicism and apathy and get involved in the public policy and political
processes. You owe it to your family, community and nation to make certain that
liberty, freedom and economic opportunity are secured and protected."
