[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 101 (Wednesday, July 10, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         VIRGINIA BOONE HONORED

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. CARRIE P. MEEK

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 10, 1996

  Mrs. MEEK of Florida. Mr. Speaker, on June 16, 1996, our Dade County 
community lost one of our most dedicated, respected, and loved 
educators, Mrs. Virginia Boone.
  Mrs. Boone, a native West Virginian, moved to Miami in 1951 to 
further her career in education. She taught at Mae Walters Elementary, 
and served as an assistant principal at Opa-Locka Elementary. Because 
of her outstanding ability, she was promoted to principal of Highland 
Oaks Elementary, while the school was still under construction.
  From the moment Mrs. Boone opened the doors of the school for the 
first time, her name became synonymous with Highland Oaks. She and her 
husband, Conway Boone, an attorney, thought of every student at her 
school as a member of her family. Because of her administrative skill 
and dedication to her students, she was named School Administrator of 
the Year in 1985 and 1987. While serving as principal of Highland Oaks, 
she also attended the University of Miami to earn her master's degree 
in education.
  Mrs. Boone retired after serving as the principal of Highland Oaks 
for 31 years. She was so loved by the students, parents, and teachers 
of Highland Oaks that they recently petitioned the Dade County school 
board to rename the school the Virginia A. Boone Elementary School. It 
is a fitting honor for this remarkable person.
  Mrs. Virginia Boone was truly a perfect educator, dedicated to her 
students and the Miami-Dade community. I salute the exceptional work of 
Mrs. Boone, and honor her memory.

                          ____________________