[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 96 (Friday, July 21, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO MR. GEORGE DONALD O'QUINN

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                           HON. BOB ETHERIDGE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2000

  Mr. ETHERIDGE. Mr. Speaker, today I pay tribute to the life and 
career of Mr. George Donald O'Quinn. Two weeks ago, Mr. O'Quinn retired 
as Principal of Boone Trail Elementary School after 38 years of 
committed and dedicated service. Mr. O'Quinn has never asked for a 
medal or a monument; he has only hoped for the success of his students, 
his school, and his community. It is fitting then that today we honor 
the accomplishments of this humble public servant.
  Mr. O'Quinn was born in 1937 and raised in the community he so 
proudly served. In fact, he attended the same school that he would 
later capably lead for so many years. After earning his Bachelors of 
Science degree in Agriculture from North Carolina State University in 
1961, Mr. O'Quinn began teaching at Coats High School, in Dunn, NC. 
Over the next five years, he taught at Lillington High School and 
worked at Southern National Bank as that institution's vice president. 
Fortunately for the people of Lillington, Mr. O'Quinn returned to the 
classroom in 1972. After four years of teaching Vocational Education at 
Boone Trail, he was named Principal, a position he would hold for the 
next 27 years.
  It is also important to note that Mr. O'Quinn was engaged in the 
affairs of his community. He served and held leadership positions in 
numerous organizations, including the Harnett County Community 
Development Association, the North Carolina Farm Bureau, the Boone 
Trail and National Ruritan Club, and the Lillington Jaycees. Mr. 
O'Quinn also served as a Deacon and Sunday School Teacher at Anitoch 
Baptist Church. On top of his community activities, he was also able to 
raise a beautiful family with the able assistance of his wife Elaine.
  Mr. Speaker, Donald O'Quinn's love for his community, his school, the 
children he mentored, and his family is truly remarkable. Tonight I 
praise him for nurturing so many children, embodying the spirit of his 
community, and sharing his gifts with us all.

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