[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 15 (Monday, February 5, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E175]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO SYLVIA E. THOMAS

                                 ______


                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 1, 1996

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, February 10, a retirement 
ceremony for a remarkable woman will be held. On that date, at the Fort 
Monmouth Officers Club, the friends and colleagues of Sylvia E. Thomas 
will pay tribute to Ms. Thomas' 35-year career as an educator, school 
administrator and a perfectionist who has always strived to give the 
most for her students.
  A resident of Neptune Township, NJ, Ms. Thomas retired on January 1 
as the principal of Neptune Middle School. The career that Sylvia 
Thomas is now concluding is not only a great testimony to her own 
talent, courage and determination, but it is a true indication of what 
public education in this country is all about: dedicated professionals, 
often working under adverse conditions, without lavish salaries, to 
shape future generations. Sylvia Thomas, like so many unsung heroes 
working in public education, has earned the respect and gratitude of 
her former students, their parents and our entire community.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Thomas was born in Georgia and raised in Alabama, 
the daughter of educators Royal and Lilian Hope Dunham. She earned her 
bachelor of science degree in secondary education from Tuskegee 
University in Alabama in 1958, and received her masters degree from 
Columbia University in New York in 1959. She earned her principal's and 
supervisor's certificates from Monmouth College--now Univesity--in West 
Long Branch, NJ, between 1974 and 1976.
  Ms. Thomas began her career as a ninth grade teacher in Augusta, GA., 
in 1959. She taught math and science throughout the country wherever 
her husband, Govan, a former Army serviceman, was stationed at the 
time. She has also taught GI's. In 1973, the Thomases settled in 
Neptune, on the Jersey Shore. She taught math to eighth graders at 
Asbury Park Middle School, in the neighboring community. From 1978 to 
1981, she served as coordinator of the math program and the 
compensatory education program. For the next three years, she chaired 
the math/science department for kindergarten through eighth grade in 
Asbury Park. In 1984, Ms. Thomas moved into the administrative side, 
becoming principal of Green Grove Elementary School in Neptune. She was 
transferred to the Middle School as vice principal, and subsequently 
became principal six years ago. During her tenure at Neptune Middle 
School, the school increased its emphasis on math and science, acquired 
additional computer equipment and made many capital improvements.

  In a recent profile of Ms. Thomas by staff writer Travis R. Moore in 
The Asbury Park Press, one of the major newspapers in our area, Mr. 
Michael T. Lake, superintendent of Neptune public schools, who has 
worked with Ms. Thomas for the past 11 years, described her as ``a 
consummate professional.'' Ms. Peola Smith-Smith, chairperson of the 
counseling/guidance department at Neptune High School, said Ms. Thomas 
has been an ``inspiration'' and an ``exemplary administrator.'' In the 
article, Ms. Thomas herself described the key to success for the men 
and women who run our public schools. While she stressed her reluctance 
to compromise on her high expectations, she nonetheless recognized the 
need for flexibility: ``You do whatever has to be done to get the job 
done.''
  In addition to her distinguished career as a teacher and 
administrator, Ms. Thomas has been a leader in numerous community 
organizations, including the Central Jersey Club of the National 
Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, the 
National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners, St. Augustine's Episcopal 
Church in Asbury Park, and Lambda Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa 
Alpha Sorority. She has also maintained a long-time association with 
Drifters, Inc., a nonprofit civic organization of black women with 30 
chapters nationwide dedicated to serving the community and enhancing 
the universal image of womanhood. Ms. Thomas served as national 
president of Drifters from 1989 to 1993, is a charter member of the 
Ocean Chapter of Drifters, and has also coordinated public relations 
and edited the organization's newsletter. She was the recipient of the 
1993 Now Black Woman Award given by the national Drifters, Inc.
  Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor and privilege for me to join the 
friends and colleagues of Sylvia Thomas in saluting a great educator 
and community leader.

                          ____________________