[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 116 (Friday, September 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN MEMORIAM OF MELINE KASPARIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JOSEPH P. KENNEDY II

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 5, 1997

  Mr. KENNEDY of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay 
tribute to a wonderful woman who dedicated her life to educating 
children in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Ms. Meline Kasparian, 
president of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, former member of 
the Amherst Town Meeting, past president of the Springfield Education 
Association, and teacher of literature, writing, and drama in 
Springfield for 25 years was lost to the people of Massachusetts during 
the recent August recess. Though she spent 2 years battling cancer, her 
death was nonetheless sudden and shocking to us all.
  Meline strove to ensure educational opportunities for all students, 
without regard to their socio-economic background. She had a profound 
belief in the public school system. She knew that for thousands of 
children it was their best opportunity to succeed in life and she was 
determined to make sure that they were given the best education 
possible.
  Meline spearheaded reforms in her own school system--initiating the 
Team Approach to Better Schools in Springfield. She was also a vocal 
advocate during the legislative battle for the Massachusetts Education 
Reform Act, which is today helping to improve the standards in every 
public school across the State.
  As the representative for the teachers, Meline also showed an 
enormous amount of strength. She fought for better working conditions 
for teachers--knowing that those were the same conditions that our 
children are learning in. Meline knew that we need to invest more in 
our public schools in order for our children to succeed.
  During my tenure in the House of Representatives I had the 
opportunity and privilege to work with Meline. Her unwavering devotion 
to improving public education never ceased to impress me. I will always 
remember Meline as a tireless advocate for public education. Her energy 
and drive will be sorely missed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

                          ____________________