[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1867-E1868]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING BOB AND LINDA BARNES ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR RETIREMENT FROM 
                     SPRINGVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. THOMAS M. REYNOLDS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 1999

  Mr. REYNOLDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 43 years of 
combined service of Robert and Linda Barnes to Springville Elementary 
School.
  Bob and Linda retired from the Springville Griffith Institute School 
earlier this year, marking the first time in more than two decades 
neither was there to greet incoming students at the onset of the school 
year.
  Bob served as Principal of Springville Elementary School since 1976. 
His wife, Linda, has been secretary since 1979. They were married in 
1983.
  Mr. Speaker, from parental feedback to standardized test scores, 
Springville Elementary School has thrived under the Barnes'

[[Page E1868]]

leadership, ability and devotion. Ninety-eight percent of the students 
read at levels above the state average; and the majority of second and 
fourth graders place in the 60th to 80th percentile of the Stanford 
Achievement Tests.
  American historian and writer Henry Adams once noted that ``a teacher 
affects eternity; he can never tell when his influence stops.'' For Bob 
and Linda Barnes, the lives they've touched over their years at 
Springville Elementary School will ensure that their influence carries 
on far into the future.
  But it's not just the children of the Springville community that have 
benefited from the Barnes' time and talents. Whether the Chamber of 
Commerce, the Salem Lutheran Church, the Concord Republican Committee, 
or countless other civic and community activities and organizations, 
Bob and Linda have always been there to provide a helping hand to their 
neighbors.
  While I'm proud to honor the contributions of Bob and Linda Barnes 
both to the Springville Elementary School and their community, I'm also 
honored that they are among my closest and dearest friends. For many 
years we were next door neighbors, and through morning coffees and 
late-night conversations, I know how deeply Bob and Linda care about 
the children of the Springville community, and how sorely they will be 
missed.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that this Congress join me in saluting Bob and 
Linda Barnes for their years of service to Springville Elementary 
School; and in wishing them great health and happiness in their 
retirement.

                          ____________________