[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 40 (Monday, March 15, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E430]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING MS. LENA B. MEDLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 15, 1999

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Lena B. Medley, for 
her exemplary community service, and dedication to educating the 
children of the Brooklyn community.
  Ms. Lena B. Medley, is an unsung American Hero in Education who took 
on the arduous task of saving a school and a community, six years ago 
when she became the Principal of Thomas Jefferson High School. Ms. 
Medley restored pride and injected self-esteem into a school that was 
thought of to be failing. The heroic actions initiated by Ms. Medley 
began when Thomas Jefferson High School was placed on a list marked for 
take over and subsequent closing by the New York State Education 
Department in 1993. As of December 1997, Thomas Jefferson High School 
was removed from the Schools Under Registration Review (SURR) List due 
to Ms. Medley's dynamic leadership.
  Ms. Medley implemented several programs; (1) the Ninth Grade 
Prepatory Academy for Math and Science, which emphasized biology, 
sequential mathematics and technology. (2) the Marine Corps Junior 
ROTC--which strengthened character, helped form habits of self 
discipline, leadership and (3) the academy of Success--which graduated 
more special education students into the mainstream than in the schools 
history. Because of Ms. Medley's vision to have these unprecedented 
programs in an inner-city high school located in East New York 
Brooklyn, she has transformed this school successfully.
  Ms. Medley holds degrees from Tennessee State and Fordham University. 
She has studied at Lehman College, Hunter College, and Harvard 
University.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in honoring Ms. Lean B. Medley, a 34 year 
veteran of education who cared enough to make a difference in the life 
of a child. She is truly an American Hero.

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