[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 61 (Monday, April 3, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S5028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S5028]]
     ROBERTA DOERING--NEW PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL SCHOOL BOARDS 
                              ASSOCIATION

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, it is a privilege to take this 
opportunity to pay tribute to Roberta Doering of Agawam, MA, who today 
becomes president of the National School Boards Association [NSBA]. 
Roberta has served as a member of the Agawam School Committee for 25 
years and has been active in both the State and national school board 
associations for many of those years. She was elected to the executive 
committee of the national organization in 1991 and now assumes the role 
of president.
  Her unwavering commitment to the welfare of the Nation's youth is 
demonstrated in her work with the schools and in other areas of service 
as well. She served for over 20 years on the board of directors of the 
Metropolitan Springfield YMCA and was the first woman president of that 
organization. She has also served on the board of trustees of the 
Springfield Library and Museum Association, and on the board of 
trustees of the Baystate Medical Center.
  Roberta Doering deserves great credit for her service to education. 
Like so many dedicated citizens who serve on thousands of local school 
committees and boards across the country, she entered the arena because 
of her interest in children. She recognized the participation by 
citizens at the local level is vital if we are to assure quality 
educational programs for children and youth.
  As she became knowledgeable about the Agawam system, she saw the need 
to do more. She explored what other communities were doing in the 
State, and what lessons from their experience could be applied to 
improve the schools in her own community. As a natural extension of her 
ability and interests, she became active in national education issues. 
Her path to the presidency reflects what so many of us in Congress 
understand. An active partnership among local, State, and national 
goals is vital to achieve educational excellence.
  Roberta is clearly making a difference, and I commend her for her 
commitment as she begins her service as president of the National 
School Boards Association. I share the pride of the people of Agawam 
and Massachusetts that she will be serving all the Nation's children, 
and I wish her success in this important new undertaking.

                          ____________________