[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 79 (Monday, June 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1145-E1146]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THANKS TO ``FRAU'' JANE EMPEY-THEEP

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. THOMAS M. BARRETT

                              of wisconsin

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 7, 1999

  Mr. BARRETT of Wisconsin. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity 
to share with my colleagues my appreciation for the dedicated service 
of Ms. Jane Empey-Theep. On June 8th, her family, friends and 
colleagues are gathering in Milwaukee to celebrate her career and wish 
``Frau'' Empey-Theep well as she retires as Principal of the Milwaukee 
German Immersion School.
  Milwaukee German Immersion School (MGIS) is one of several schools in 
the Milwaukee Public Schools system offering total language immersion 
programs that attract children from all over the city. Its success 
directly reflects the determination and ingenuity of Principal Jane 
Empey-Theep.

[[Page E1146]]

  Ms. Empey-Theep began her career with Milwaukee Public Schools over 
20 years ago, and when she became MGIS' Principal in 1989, she brought 
a wealth of experience to the job. She knew that, to truly excel, MGIS 
needed to involve and empower students and their parents. Under her 
direction, that is exactly what MGIS has done. Last year, the Milwaukee 
PTA chose an MGIS teacher as Teacher of the Year and an MGIS parent as 
Parent of the Year. The school also won recognition from Redbook 
Magazine and several other distinctions, including what is perhaps the 
highest honor: designation by U.S. Department of Education as a Blue 
Ribbon School.
  Jane Empey-Theep has been actively and personally involved in leading 
MGIS toward excellence. She hasn't spent her time firmly seated behind 
her desk. She has been out interacting with the students and the staff, 
meeting with parents and educators and students. She has worked not 
only to execute troubleshooting, but also to identify and implement 
strategies for improvement, and she has empowered the educators, staff, 
parents and students of MGIS to do the same.
  Now, after over two decades of service to Milwaukee Public Schools 
and 10 years as Principal, Jane Empey-Theep is hanging up her hall 
passes. Along with many others in our community, I commend her for the 
work to push the boundaries of educational excellence and admire her 
efforts to cultivate the talents of the students at MGIS.
  As the parent of two MGIS students, I thank Jane Empey-Theep for 
making school a place where all kids can learn, grow and excel, and a 
place where they look forward to going. I am proud to join her friends 
and admirers in expressing appreciation for her career of dedicated 
service to our community, to our schools, and to our children.

                          ____________________