[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     IN TRIBUTE TO MARY LOU McGRATH

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY II

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 1997

  Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I pause today to join the 
city of Cambridge, MA, in paying tribute to local hero and community 
leader, Mary Lou McGrath, who is retiring after a long and 
distinguished career in the field of education and in service to her 
city, State, and country.
  For the past 40 years, Mary Lou McGrath has been instrumental in 
determining the shape and direction of the public schools in Cambridge. 
After receiving her Masters of Education from Boston State College, 
Mary Lou went on to become an educator in and later the first 
Superintendent of the Cambridge Public School System.
  In her years as Superintendent, Mary Lou McGrath has led the way 
toward the future of education through constant reform and innovation. 
Collaborating with local colleges and universities, businesses, health 
organizations, and government agencies, Mary Lou has sought to enhance 
the experience of education for both student and teacher alike. Her 
work has included the creation of model programs in the areas of 
bilingual education, gay/lesbian student education, and special needs 
education.
  One can only begin to describe the depth of Mary Lou's devotion of 
time and energy to issues concerning the youth of her community. 
Serving on various boards and committees, Mary Lou has worked to 
address issues of civil rights, violence, drug use, and other youth-
related concerns.
  In recognition of her dedication to and efforts on behalf of the 
welfare of our young people and the ideals of education, Mary Lou 
McGrath has been presented the Ford educational ``Woman of the Year'' 
by the Cambridge YMCA. These are only a few among many honors accorded 
Mary Lou throughout her career.
  Mr. Speaker, the people of Cambridge, MA, owe their gratitude to Mary 
Lou McGrath. On June 19, they will gather to salute her 40 years of 
devoted service. I ask my colleagues in the House to join with them and 
me in extending a simple, ``thank you and Godspeed to Mary Lou McGrath. 
She has made us all proud.

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