[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 71 (Friday, June 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E924]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING GAIL NOLIN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2000

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, as a former teacher, it gives me great 
pleasure to rise before you today on the behalf of the Waterford, 
Michigan School District, who will be honoring one of their own. On 
June 14, members of the school district, as well as family and friends, 
will gather to honor the career of Ms. Gail Nolin, who is retiring 
after 34 glorious years.
  In 1966, Gail Nolin began her career with Waterford Schools, teaching 
third, fourth, and fifth grades at Cooley Elementary School. Gail's 
tenure at Cooley lasted 18 years. Gail brought with her many unique and 
creative opportunities for her students to learn, including painting a 
large map of Michigan in the school parking lot, and constructing a 
large rocket ship. Many times, she incorporated art and music in her 
lessons, giving her students early exposure to fine arts and a well-
rounded curriculum. She later moved up to teach upper elementary, where 
she involved parents in presenting technology to students, and helped 
pilot the district's first elementary computer network, acting as 
systems operator with Gladys Baker.
  In 1991, Gail began a new role within the District, that of 
Technology Consultant. She diligently worked along with Dick Elsholz 
and Randy Gross to implement a program that would allow third grade to 
fifth grade teachers to integrate computer technology into their 
curriculum. She served as a member of the Institutional Technology 
Planning Committee, and co-chaired the first elementary technology 
plan.
  Gail not only had an accomplished academic career, but a political 
career that has spanned nearly three decades.
  A member of the Waterford Education Association, Michigan Education 
Association, and National Education Association, Gail has always 
remained a member in good standing and a role model for her peers. She 
has served the WEA as a member of its Human Rights Commission and 
Negotiations Committee, as well as other leadership roles with the 
union. As a member of the MEA, Gail has been an executive officer since 
1985, and also sits on the Staff Retirement Board and Legislative 
Committee. She has operated as the MEA representative to the NEA on 
several occasions.
  Gail's strong belief in our democratic system has allowed her an 
audience with not only members of Congress, but senators, Cabinet 
members, and several presidents, on issues such as Title I and equal 
rights. Gail was invited to the White House by President Carter to 
participate in discussions regarding the drafting of women into the 
military.
  These experiences also led her to a stint as an assistant to 
Congressman Bob Carr, and the opportunity in 1993, where President 
Clinton met and bowled with her eighth grade students.
  Mr. Speaker, Gail Nolin is my educational colleague and my friend. 
For many years, I have benefitted from her insight, as has the entire 
Waterford community over the course of the last 34 years. She has 
always been a fighter for education, for she believes that a strong 
educational background is the basis toward improving the quality of 
life. I ask my colleagues to please join me in congratulating Gail 
Nolin on her retirement, and wishing her the very best in her future 
endeavors.

                          ____________________