[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 145 (Friday, October 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2073]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO THE LATE DR. ANNE CAMPBELL

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                           HON. DOUG BEREUTER

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 23, 1997

  Mr. BEREUTER. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, October 18, Nebraska lost a 
great education leader when Dr. Anne Campbell passed away. There 
certainly is no need to exaggerate about the tremendous accomplishments 
of Dr. Campbell in the field of education or about the wonderful person 
she was. Her leadership on education matters will have a very positive 
and lasting effect on countless Nebraskans and indeed people throughout 
our Nation. Her legacy is the kind that enriches our civilization.
  This Member frequently called upon Dr. Campbell over the years for 
her advice on education and in choosing among applicants for our 
service academies. If sound and farsighted advice on educational issues 
was needed, this Member thought first of Dr. Campbell. She will be 
sorely missed by the great number of us who had the good fortune to 
have her friendship and by all who benefited from her leadership role 
in education. It is no surprise that Nebraska Governor E. Benjamin 
Nelson ordered State flags to fly at half-mast as a final tribute to 
Dr. Anne Campbell.
  The following article from the October 20, 1997, Lincoln Journal Star 
lists her numerous accomplishments and career highlights.

             [From the Lincoln Journal Star, Oct. 20, 1997]

           Nebraska's ``Grand Lady of Education'' Dead at 79

                        (By J. Christopher Hain)

       One of the pillars of Nebraska education, M. Anne Campbell, 
     Ph.D., died in Lincoln Saturday at the age of 79.
       Campbell was a former Nebraska commissioner of education 
     and is the namesake of Campbell Elementary School at North 
     21st and Superior streets in Lincoln.
       She had been suffering from colon cancer and had been in 
     and out of the hospital several times since April, said her 
     husband Leonard Campbell.
       Former U.S. Sen. J. James Exon, who was governor of 
     Nebraska when Campbell became state commissioner of 
     education, said ``the educational systems in Nebraska have 
     lost an outstanding and stellar person.''
       ``People instinctively liked her and her approach to 
     education,'' Exon said. ``You could sense her dedication to 
     the cause of education.''
       Campbell began her career as Madison County superintendent 
     of schools from 1955 to 1963. During that time, she earned a 
     master's degree from Wayne State College. She worked for two 
     years as director of professional services and lobbyist for 
     the Nebraska State Education Association.
       In 1965, she began work as an administrative assistant for 
     government services at Lincoln Public Schools. Her duties 
     included lobbying the Legislature and seeking and 
     administering federal funds. During her time at LPS, she 
     worked behind the scenes on development of Nebraska's 
     educational service unit system and the state's technical 
     community colleges.
       In 1969, she received a doctoral degree from the University 
     of Nebraska. She worked for two years as director of public 
     affairs for the university.
       In 1974, Campbell became state commissioner of education. 
     During her tenure, she served as an influential member of the 
     National Commission on Excellence in Education. The 
     commission's landmark report, ``A Nation At Risk,'' helped to 
     focus the nation's attention on the condition of its schools. 
     She retired in 1982.
       She was former national president of the PTA and former 
     president of the Council of Chief State School Officers, the 
     American Association of University Women and the Easter Seal 
     Society of Nebraska.
       Campbell served as chairman of the Governor's Committee on 
     the status of Women. She was a member of the Committee that 
     selected teacher Christa McAuliffe as the first private 
     citizen to ride in a space shuttle.
       Joe Lutjeharms, who worked under Campbell and succeeded her 
     as commissioner of education, said it was her kindness that 
     made her a successful educator.
       ``She was a very, very great people person,'' he said. 
     ``When you win friends, you influence people.''
       Lutjeharms said Campbell worked to ensure that education 
     efforts were always directed toward kids. ``She was the grand 
     lady of education in Nebraska.''

     

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