[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 128 (Friday, October 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1789-E1790]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




A TRIBUTE TO MRS. DALE STRAYHORN, PRINCIPAL OF ROCHELLE MIDDLE SCHOOL, 
                     LENOIR COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 12, 2000

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, for almost two decades, Mrs. Dale 
Strayhorn has quietly and effectively touched the lives of hundreds of 
young people. As a teacher, school administrator and principal, she has 
helped our communities meet the challenge of child-raising.
  She has now brought her considerable energy and expertise to Rochelle 
Middle School in Lenoir County, North Carolina, where she currently 
serves as principal. Since arriving at Rochelle, she has made every 
student feel important and has made every parent feel that the 
education of their child is being taken very seriously.
  Dale Strayhorn is an educator, a mentor, an advisor, an advocate, a 
counselor, a visionary. She cares. She dares to be different, and she 
has made a difference. But, her path to excellence has not been easy. 
Like all who teach well, she first had to learn. One of eight children, 
she was instructed by her father to ``get a job or go to college.'' She 
did both. She attended North Carolina Central University in Durham, and 
she took on the tough task of raising her daughter Gwen, beginning in 
her Sophomore year.
  Over the years, Mrs. Strayhorn has taught elementary school, taught 
military-dependent children and taught alternative school children,

[[Page E1790]]

among many other experiences. In all instances, she has emphasized 
character building, skill development and preparation for the future.
  Despite her many accomplishments and her tireless agenda, she has 
always found time to be a devoted wife, a loving mother, a dedicated 
daughter and a dutiful member of her church. While balancing many 
responsibilities, she has never neglected to balance her priorities--
those things most important in life--family, friends, neighbors, 
community and church.
  Those who are charged with the education, growth and development of 
our young people must be among the best, the brightest, the most 
honorable. They must love what they do and conduct themselves with the 
highest standards and with impeccable integrity. Mrs. Dale Strayhorn 
meets and exceeds all of those qualities.
  While she has assumed the role of Principal at Rochelle, above all, 
she is a teacher, one who guides, instructs and paints a path for 
others to follow. She deserves our praise and adulation.

                          ____________________