{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["http://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-frederica-s-wilson-received-honorary-doctoral-degree-from", "Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson Received Honorary Doctoral Degree from Bethune-Cookman University", "2016-12-12", "2016", "2016-12", "Democrat", "House", "FL", "Frederica Wilson", "W000808", "wilson.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DAYTONA BEACH, FL \u2013 Congresswoman S. Wilson was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from Bethune-Cookman University (BCU) for her contributions to society and commitment to service at BCU's fall commencement ceremony on Saturday December 10, 2016, in the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center in Daytona Beach.\u00a0 The honorary doctoral degree was presented by BCU president, Dr. Edison O. Jackson, and board of trustees chairperson, Dr. Joe Petrock.\n\u201cI am so grateful to President Jackson, Dr. Petrock and the board of trustees, the faculty and students for this amazing accolade,\u201d said Congresswoman Wilson.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m beaming with pride to receive this honor from the university, which continues to uphold the same values of academic excellence as its founder, the legendary Mary McLeod Bethune.\u00a0 I am especially pleased to share this very special moment with my family \u2013 especially my grandchildren.\u201d\nCongresswoman Wilson is a voice for the voiceless who has fought for change in her community and beyond.\u00a0 Her achievements include working with Governor Jeb Bush to remove the Confederate flag from the Florida state capitol, mandating HIV/AIDS testing for newly-released prisoners, opposing high-stakes standardized testing, pushing for a ban of the term 'illegal alien' in state public records, and partnering with Governor Charlie Crist to restore voting rights for ex-felons.\u00a0 She sponsored a bill taking aim at the deadly terrorist group Boko Haram, introduced the American Jobs Act of 2013, the Student Loan Borrower Bill of Rights, and the Youth Corp Act of 2013. \u00a0Congresswoman Wilson is widowed and the proud mother of three children: Nicole, LaKesha, and Paul.\u00a0 She has a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Fisk University, a Master of Science degree in elementary education from the University of Miami, and an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Florida Memorial University.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["http://wilson.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congresswoman-frederica-s-wilson-received-honorary-doctoral-degree-from"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.6663819551467896, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}