[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 124 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1749]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                THANKS TO A DEVOTED EDUCATOR AND LEADER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 1998

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, the future of our Nation is in the hands of 
our young people, and our young people are both guided and molded by 
caring people who serve in our educational system. While there is no 
doubt as to the incredible value of the effort provided by teachers, it 
must be remembered that without strong school boards to guide local 
education policies, teachers would have a far more difficult time 
achieving the goals that the public has set for them.
  For the past thirty years, the Bay-Arenac Intermediate School 
District has been well served by Angela V. Fenton, a dedicated lady who 
had set her own clear goals when she started. She has served longer 
than any other board member, and has now retired, having successfully 
fulfilled each and every one of these goals. She is being honored on 
September 21 for her accomplishments and her lifetime of dedication.
  Over the course of her tenure, Angela Fenton had three goals. She 
wanted to establish the Educational Center, which has been done with 
the praise of the community and to the great benefit of the many 
students who take advantage of it. She wanted to establish and manage 
the Vocational Center, and she has done exactly that, making what is 
known as the Career Center one of the best of its kind in Michigan. She 
also wanted to locate a permanent building to serve the needs of 
Special Education. This is in the process of being completed. Her 
vision, her efforts, and her devotion have left the Bay-Arenac 
Intermediate School District a far better entity than she found.
  Her service as Secretary of the Board for two years and as President 
for nine years is testimony to both her commitment and her leadership. 
It is truly fitting that she be honored before the regular Board 
meeting on September 21.
  Mr. Speaker, when we express concern about our young people, or worry 
about the quality of public education, let us all be thankful that 
people like Angela Fenton undertake that important work with a 
visionary sense of the future, a hard core realism of the needs of 
today, and an appreciation for what has come before them. I urge you 
and all of our colleagues to join me in thanking Angela Fenton for her 
years of exemplary service, and in wishing her the very best for all of 
the challenges that life still has in store for her.

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