[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1959]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MRS. KANA BARKER-MABON

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                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2001

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and extend well-deserved 
recognition to Mrs. Kana Barker-Mabon who was awarded the prestigious 
Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award for her dedication, 
compassion and diligence as an educator in the Memphis City Schools.
  Being only one of two educators ever awarded this distinguished award 
in Tennessee, Mrs. Barker-Mabon has always had a passion for working 
with children. While pursuing her bachelors in political science at 
Rhodes College, she also took education classes under Dr. Watson, the 
chair of the Education Department at Rhodes College and current 
Superintendent of Memphis City Public Schools.
  During her student teaching, Mrs. Barker-Mabon was determined to 
teach where she believed the children needed her the most, so she 
requested placement at Cypress Middle, one of the lowest performing 
schools in the state. She continues to teach there today. Mrs. Barker-
Mabon is a product of Memphis City Schools and has been a success story 
since she was placed at Cypress. The results of her hard work are seen 
through the lives of the children she touches.
   Mrs. Barker-Mabon earned her M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction 
from Freed-Hardeman University and is currently working on her Ph.D. at 
the University of Mississippi. She continues to embrace her students in 
their academic endeavors and strives to meet their immediate needs by 
offering students study sessions in addition to providing them with 
food on the weekends.
  In her teaching career, Mrs. Barker-Mabon was promoted from classroom 
teacher to school facilitator after only five years at Cypress, and she 
teaches other educators how to be more effective. Her steadfastness and 
undying devotion manifests itself in the attitudes of her students and 
their test scores. She is held in very high esteem by her students, 
faculty and administration.
  This recent award only further highlights a career committed to 
educating and caring for the well-being of our children. Mr. Speaker, I 
hope that you and my colleagues will join me in honoring Mrs. Kana 
Barker-Mabon, a model educator whose kindness and dedication continues 
to change the lives of countless youth in Memphis, Tennessee.

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