[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 96 (Thursday, July 21, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                   TRIBUTE TO LIBRARIAN BARBARA LYDON

                                 ______


                        HON. JOHN JOSEPH MOAKLEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 21, 1994

  Mr. MOAKLEY. Mr. Speaker, Barbara Lydon, a long time resident of 
South Boston and librarian at the William E. Russell School for the 
past 13 years, was honored on June 21, 1994 of her many years of 
service to the children of Boston. Mrs. Lydon has had the newly 
renovated library named in her honor.
  Over the years, Mrs. Lydon has worked tirelessly to instill a sense 
of curiousity and love for learning in students from kindergarten until 
the fifth grade. Her undying sense of service has gained her respect 
and love from parents, students, and teachers alike.
  I am proud to represent Mrs. Lydon and those like her who unselfishly 
serve their community with dedication and happiness.
  I would like to include the following article, dated June 30, 1994, 
from the South Boston Tribune.

                       South Boston Woman Honored

                           (By Brian Wallace)

       In 1981 Barbara Lydon, a lifelong resident of South Boston, 
     accepted a position as Librarian at the William E. Russell 
     School. Thirteen classes have graduated since that September 
     day in 1981. And, for thirteen years their librarian, Barbara 
     Lydon, has filled those young minds with a love for reading 
     and a love of life.
       Now, I have written stories about politicians, athletes, 
     organizations and even parades. I have never, before written 
     about a librarian. The problem is that often times we 
     prioritize the wrong professions. We glamorize those people 
     who can hit a baseball until its' cover comes off. We 
     glamorize the guy whose only claim to fame is that he knocks 
     other people out with a single punch. And many of those whom 
     our Society sees fit to glamorize can not live up to 
     Society's expectations. We have seen that over and over 
     again. But a librarian? Absolutely. And not just any 
     librarian.
       Barbara Lydon has dedicated her life to this admirable 
     profession. She has molded hundreds of young boys and girls 
     minds to the importance of books and of learning. Which to 
     parents is a lot more important than learning the batting 
     average of 3 twenty year old millionaires whose only 
     concession to young boys and girls is that they might only 
     charge them $5 for an autograph, instead of the $10 they 
     usually charge.
       So, why am I writing this? Because on Tuesday June 21st the 
     graduating students and the staff at the William E. Russell 
     School put up a bronze plaque honoring the contribution that 
     Barbara Lydon has made to the children of the Russell School. 
     The newly renovated Library at the Russell, will now and 
     forevermore be known as the Barbara F. Lydon Library. Quite 
     an honor for quite a lady and the very first time such an 
     honor has been bestowed on an active staff member. I would 
     personally like to congratulate Barbara Lydon and silently 
     wish that our Society had a lot more like her.

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