[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               TRIBUTE TO VIRGINIA MARIA CARREIRO DA MOTA

                                 ______


                             HON. JACK REED

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 6, 1994

  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today on 
behalf of an outstanding Rhode Islander, Virginia Maria Carreiro da 
Mota, who is being honored this month by International Institute as 
their 1994 Outstanding Citizen. Each year, the International Institute 
recognizes a foreign-born naturalized citizen for their distinguished 
and noteworthy contributions to the community.
  Virginia da Mota was born in Vila da Povoacao, Sao Miguel, in the 
Azores, immigrated to the United States in 1967, and became a United 
States citizen in 1972. Ms. da Mota is a leader in the Portuguese 
community of Rhode Island and is renown for the significant 
contribution she has made in the administration of educational programs 
for linguistically and culturally diverse students. Ms. da Mota 
received both her bachelor of arts degree in education and a master of 
education in bilingual and bicultural education from Rhode Island 
College. She went on to earn an additional master of arts in ESL and 
cross-cultural studies from Brown University in May of 1993.
  In 1975, as a teacher in the East Providence School system, Ms. da 
Mota designed and implemented the city's first bilingual education 
program. Since 1976, she has worked in the Rhode Island Department of 
Education and is credited with creating the State Office of Bilingual 
Education which insures that students with limited English have access 
to high quality education and support.
  Ms. da Mota is dedicated to community and public service endeavors 
and is an active member of St. Xavier Parish. In addition, she was 
recently appointed by the East Providence City Council to serve on the 
Municipal Land Trust and has served as president of Citizens Concerned 
for Human Progress.
  As a member of the Education and Labor Committee of the U.S. House of 
Representatives, I am proud to acknowledge the work of an individual 
whose legacy to education will positively impact the lives of countless 
young people for generations to come.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of my home State of Rhode Island, I would 
respectfully ask my fellow colleagues to join me in honoring an 
outstanding individual, Virginia Maria Carreiro da Mota.

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