[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 59 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4242-S4243]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     COMMENDATION OF ANDY ROBINSON

 Mr. REED. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate and commend 
one of my constituents, Andy Robinson of Narragansett, RI. At the end 
of last year, Andy Robinson retired from teaching after thirty years in 
the classroom. This Sunday his family, friends and innumerable former 
students will celebrate Andy's career and the impact he has had on the 
lives of so many Rhode Islanders. Andy Robinson is a model public 
servant and I would like to take a few minutes to express my 
appreciation for his commitment to our community.
  Born and raised in East Providence, Andy graduated from my alma 
mater, LaSalle Academy. After receiving his bachelors degree from 
Providence College, Andy became a student teacher at Narragansett 
Junior High School. He then took a position for three years as a social 
studies teacher at Burrillville Junior-Senior High School while 
completing his masters degree at Providence College.
  In 1975 Andy accepted a job as a social studies teacher at 
Narragansett High School, and I doubt he imagined at the time that he 
would dedicate the next 25 years to forming the minds of the students 
attending that school. Andy worked hard to improve and broaden the 
social studies program at Narragansett High School. He introduced 
Project Close-Up, Rhode Island Project Insight, the Rhode Island Model 
Legislature Program, the Mock Trial Program, the Junior Achievement 
Applied Economics Program and the Center for Civic Education ``We the 
People'' Program and Constitution Competition. He also obtained a 
federal grant to bring the Youth and the Law Program to the School. 
Andy served as the Social Studies Department Chair, a member of the 
school Steering Committee, a member of the School Based Improvement 
Team, and a member of the Review Committee for National Standards in 
Social Studies. For his endless energy and unflagging commitment to 
education, Andy has received the ``Ocean State Center for Law And 
Citizenship Education Outstanding Law Educator'' and is named in Who's 
Who in American Education.
  Moreover, Andy's public service did not end in the classroom. From 
1968 to 1989, Andy served in the Rhode Island National Guard. He has 
held positions in the Narragansett Lions Club, the Narragansett 
Democratic Town Committee and the Eastward Look Property Owner 
Association. He continues to serve as a member of the Narragansett 
Chamber of Commerce, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of South Country, 
the Board of Incorporators South County Hospital, the Prout School 
Board and the Prout School Academic Affairs Committee.
  Andy shares his commitment to the community with his wife Jane, who 
is a teacher at the Narragansett Elementary School. Together they 
raised two daughters, Catherine, who will soon begin serving the U.S. 
Army as a JAG, and Elizabeth who is carrying on the family tradition as 
a teacher of special education in Virginia.

[[Page S4243]]

  Recently, Narragansett High School dedicated its yearbook to Andy 
Robinson. Several students wrote tributes to him and they all had 
common themes, students looked forward to Mr. Robinson's class, he made 
the material interesting and easy to learn, and he cared. Andy Robinson 
is an uncommon teacher. I think one student, Melissa Deluca, spoke for 
everyone when she wrote, ``Mr. Robinson, our teacher, our guide, my 
friend. Thank you.''
  Andy Robinson is an inspiration not only to his students, but to all 
who have the pleasure of knowing him. On behalf of the citizens of 
Rhode Island, I want to thank Andy for his years of hard work and 
selfless dedication and congratulate him on a well deserved 
retirement.

                          ____________________