[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 115 (Thursday, September 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1665]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   DR. PATRICIA WORTHY OYESHIKU: 1997 WESTERN REGIONAL EXCELLENCE IN 
                             TEACHING AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 1997

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Patricia 
Worthy Oyeshiku, a distinguished teacher from my home town of San Diego 
who has made a positive impact on thousands of young lives in our 
community. I am proud to recognize Dr. Oyeshiku, an outstanding teacher 
at Morse High School in my congressional district where she has taught 
since 1971.
  Tomorrow, she will receive the 1997 Western Regional Excellence in 
Teaching Award by the National Council of Negro Women. This Excellence 
in Teaching Award is designed to raise awareness and involvement of 
African-American parents, educators, and community leaders in meeting 
the educational needs of African-American youth.
  The award recognizes exceptional public school teachers of African-
American students who are living the philosophy and legacy of the 
National Council of Negro Women. Funded by Shell Oil Co., the award 
ceremonies tomorrow are an opportunity to generate greater public 
awareness and appreciation of excellence in teaching.
  This is not the first time that Dr. Oyeshiku has been recognized for 
her outstanding contribution to our young people. She was the 
California Teacher of the Year in 1981 and also National Teacher of the 
Year finalist that year. She was honored as the Headliner in Education 
by the San Diego Press Club in 1981.
  She serves on the California Academic Partnership Program Advisory 
Board, is an evaluation team leader of the California Commission on 
Teacher Credentialing, has served as past cochairperson for all English 
department Chairs in the San Diego unified school district, is a member 
of the Advisory Committee in Reading for the San Diego unified 
achievement goals program and of the advisory council to an 
interdisciplinary approach to multicultural education. She has lectured 
throughout the State of California on issues related to education.
  Dr. Oyeshiku has always been an outstanding role model for many 
years. She served in the Peace Corps in Brazil, and received the John 
F. Kennedy Award as the outstanding Peace Corps volunteer in 1966. She 
is a member of the Readathon Advisory Board of the Multiple Sclerosis 
Society.
  Like those before her who have received this high honor, Dr. Oyeshiku 
has worked tirelessly for the benefit of every student in her classes. 
Her principal, Dr. Shirley Peterson, told me that she is ``honored, on 
behalf of all of the Morse High School Tigers, to recognize Dr. 
Oyeshiku for receiving this prestigious award and to commend her and 
applaud her efforts.''
  Mr. Speaker, every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, and 
every student deserves a teacher like Dr. Oyeshiku. I am pleased that 
her efforts are recognized with the 1997 Western Regional Excellence in 
Teaching Award.

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