[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E611]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JACK ELLIS

                                 ______


                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 23, 1996

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, I proudly rise to pay tribute to a 
distinguished educator and a good friend, Mr. Jack Ellis. Jack is the 
music director at Lakeview High School in St. Clair Shores and was 
recently named as the Michigan Band/Orchestra Director of the Year.
  I have known Jack for many years and he richly deserves the honor 
bestowed upon him. As in the hit film, Mr. Holland's Opus, Jack has 
been inspiring aspiring musicians and sharing his love of music for 
years. As one of his many talented students says, ``[Jack] knows his 
music, but he teaches it in a down-to-earth way * * * He's humorous and 
he puts things at a level where we can understand it have fun.''
  It is obvious that his students ``understand'' because Lakeview's 
band and orchestra have received numerous awards and honors under 
Jack's tutelage. The band was Michigan's representative at the re-
lighting of the Statue of Liberty and they have received many division 
one ratings at district festivals.
  ``Mister E,'' as Jack is fondly known by his students, makes sure to 
give all his students the individual attention they need. One thing I 
know he is proud of is the fact that he has never turned a student 
away. As Jack says. ``Not everyone has the gift of music. But if 
they've had a desire to be a part of this program, then we've found 
them a place.''
  While Jack also teaches honors European history and world studies, 
his passion is music. He says that the lessons learned in music cannot 
be gotten anywhere else. The discipline and cooperation required to 
create music brings diverse students together in a setting seldom found 
in any other subject or extracurricular activity. It is obvious that 
the harmonies created in Jack Ellis' class go far beyond what is merely 
heard by the ear.
  Jack's wife Joellyn is also an award-winning teacher. She was honored 
as Lakeview Public School's Elementary Teacher of the Year. The 
students at Ardmore Elementary and Lakeview High School are lucky to 
have such gifted teachers and I am pleased to recognize their 
contributions. I commend both of them for their educational and civic 
contributions.
  I congratulate Jack Ellis for the recognition he received from the 
State of Michigan and I urge my colleagues to join with me in thanking 
him for his work. He is proud to be a music teacher and he richly 
deserves being named Director of the Year.

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