[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 132 (Thursday, October 19, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING BARBARA CASEY OF WASHINGTON STATE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JAY INSLEE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 19, 2000

  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I honor Ms. 
Barbara Casey for a long and dedicated career in improving the 
educational system in Washington State.
  Ms. Casey, in her professional career and voluntary activities, has 
shown a commitment to improving the lives of students at home and in 
school. She began her work in education as a technical operator for a 
weekly public radio talk show on education issues. Then she moved her 
volunteer work into the school. She has served as a health room 
volunteer, classroom volunteer, library aide, reading aide, phoneathon 
volunteer, C2B2 Committee member and lobbyist. Barbara has also been 
the Legislation Chair for the Issaquah PTSA Council and Sunset PTA 
Board of Directors.
  Her presence in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is especially 
notable. She has served as the Sunset PTA Board President and received 
the Golden Acorn Award twice from the Sunset PTA and Issaquah PTSA 
Council. In addition, Barbara has volunteered on an impressive list of 
education organizations. Her work is well known on the Sunset 
Elementary Shared Management Team, Big Idea Grant Committee, State PTA 
Legislation Committee and Issaquah Family Service Network Task Force. 
Her outstanding contributions to the Community Health and Safety 
Network brought gubernatorial recognition.
  Since 1994, Barbara has served as the first Government Relations 
Director of the Washington State PTA. Though an unusual position on a 
state PTA, it reflects the progressive nature of her work for 
education. Instead of merely reacting to the decisions of other 
education administrators, she has been proactive in her advocacy of 
children's education needs. Barbara has been a model of the PTA mission 
to speak on behalf of children in schools and the community, assist 
parents in developing skills to raise their children and encouraging 
parent and public involvement in public schools.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to voice my appreciation and commendation for 
Barbara Casey. She reflects the best of what parents and other 
education advocates bring to our schools.

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