[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 91 (Thursday, June 24, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S7649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RETIREMENT OF SAM HARMAN

 Mr. CLELAND. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize a most 
outstanding and accomplished citizen of Georgia, Mr. Sam Harman, on the 
eve of his retirement from the public schools system. As an educator 
for 36 years, Sam Harman's work ethic, coupled with his goal of 
excellence at each of his schools has earned him the sincere respect 
and admiration of his Dunwoody, Georgia community.
  Mr. Harman began his career as a math, social studies and science 
teacher. Later, he coached football and driver's education. His first 
administrative job was as principal of one of Georgia's largest middle 
schools, in Cobb County, Georgia. In 1987, he was named the principal 
of Vanderlyn Elementary in Dunwoody, Georgia, where he remains today.
  Throughout his tenure at Vanderlyn, Mr. Harman has always put his 
duties to his school ahead of anything else to make this school an 
example of excellence not only in the community, but in the public 
school system at large. He arrives at school at 6 o'clock each morning 
and stays until 6 o'clock every night. He is a remarkable person with 
energy to spare.
  Sam Harman's dedication to education and his contributions to the 
community are numerous. To really get an understanding of this 
wonderful man, you only have to look at his school's many 
accomplishments. Under his watch, Vanderlyn Elementary has expanded 
from 400 to more than 700 students. Scholastically, Vanderlyn ranks in 
the top five schools in Georgia. National test scores for the past five 
years show Vanderlyn students averaging above the 90th percentile in 
virtually every academic subject. Teacher transfer rates are extremely 
low while pupil and teacher attendance rates are among the highest in 
the country. These statistics are the direct result of Sam Harman's 
commitment to this school.
  Mr. Harman takes a personal interest in every child in his school, 
and knows each by name. He visits each classroom daily, and supervises 
both lunchroom and bus duty both to reduce the work of his teachers and 
to interact with the children. Strong pride exists at Vanderlyn because 
students, parents and staff know that Principal Harman cares about them 
as individuals.
  While his compassion for others is unique, he is also a firm mediator 
and strict disciplinarian. Mr. Harman has a rule that students must 
come to school to learn. Students are well aware that anyone who 
performs differently will be dealt with swiftly and directly. Simply 
put, Mr. Harman will not allow any students to disrupt the learning 
process.
  After eleven years at Vanderlyn and 36 years in education, Mr. Harman 
has now decided to retire. Instead of rising at dawn to herd children, 
he will be getting up to herd cattle on his farm, where he hopes to 
spend much more time.
  Mr. President, I warmly request that you and my colleagues join me in 
paying tribute to a most outstanding man, Mr. Sam Harman of Atlanta, 
GA. We have been richly blessed to find such a caring and dedicated 
school leader who has positively touched the lives of many. I thank 
him, as well as his family, for allowing us to occupy so much of his 
time for these past 36 years.

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