[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 18, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E405-E406]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO ERNESTINE COLEY FRANCIES

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 18, 1998

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call to your attention Ms. 
Ernestine Coley Francies of Passaic, New Jersey.
  Ernestine is a graduate of Passaic High School. She attended 
Fairleigh Dickinson University where she received her Bachelor's degree 
in Elementary Education. Ernestine was the Basic Skills Parent Liaison 
for 16 years and has been the District Parent/Teacher Coordinator for 
the Passaic School District for the past seven years. Her primary 
responsibilities include the organization and implementation of 
educational training programs for parents, students, teachers, and the 
community. In addition, Ernestine presents workshops to audiences with 
interest in local education throughout the State of New Jersey, and 
nationwide.
  Through the Basic Skills Department, Ernestine has developed the BSI/
Bilingual Parent Resource Center; the Parents Assistance in Reading 
Program; the MegaSkills Program; the Family Math Program; the Family 
Science Program; the Systematic Training and Effective Parenting 
Program (STEP); and the parental involvement activities of the BSI 
Council. Since 1993, Ernestine has served as the

[[Page E406]]

Coordinator of the Passaic Community School, located at the Dr. Martin 
Luther King, Jr. School No. 6 on Hamilton Avenue in Passaic.
  Ernestine has received numerous awards for her community involvement 
throughout her career, including accolades from the Passaic Board of 
Education and her achievements as the United Passaic Organization's 
``Adult Educator of the Year'' in 1990. She holds membership with many 
associations, including the National Coalition of Title 1, Chapter 1 
Parents Organization; assistant recording secretary for the New Jersey 
Association of Parent Coordinators; member of the Early Childhood 
Advisory Committee for the Passaic Board of Education; the Passaic 
Chapter of the NAACP; past membership on the Board of Directors of the 
YWCA; and is currently a nominee for the Board of Directors of the 
Community Substance Abuse Center in Passaic.
  Ernestine is the mother of three children, all of whom attended 
Passaic Public Schools and are graduates of Passaic High School. Her 
fiance, David Wyder of Passaic, is also employed by the Passaic Board 
of Education and coordinates the activities at the high school's media 
center.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, Ernestine's 
family and friends, and the City of Passaic in recognizing Ernestine 
Coley Francies' many outstanding and invaluable contributions to our 
community.

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