[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 43 (Wednesday, April 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E551-E552]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING SHARON K. DARLING

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ANNE M. NORTHUP

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 17, 2002

  Mrs. NORTHUP. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate a truly 
inspiring woman in my district, Ms. Sharon Darling. Ms. Darling has 
been honored as a 2001 recipient of the prestigious National Humanities 
Medal. Next month, Ms. Darling will receive her award in a personal 
presentation from President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.
  As a tireless advocate for education and literacy, Ms. Darling has 
worked hard to improve and reform the education system. While serving 
in many capacities throughout her career, she has always remained 
steadfast in her pursuit of this very noble goal. Ms. Darling pioneered 
a program that combines early childhood education, adult literacy 
education, parental support and structured interaction between parents 
and their children. Encouraged by positive results, Ms. Darling founded 
the National Center for Family Literacy in 1989. Since its inception, 
NCFL, which is located in Louisville, Kentucky, has been dedicated to 
family literacy. Their efforts are internationally recognized, and NCFL 
is well-known for creating innovative program models, developing 
effective advocacy strategies and providing research, training and 
technical assistance to professionals working within the field of 
family literacy.
  Ms. Darling and the NCFL realize the importance of education and 
literacy. Without the ability to access knowledge, people will not have 
the tools necessary to fight their way out of impoverishment, and to 
empower themselves. Ms. Darling serves as an advisor on education 
issues to governors, policy makers, business leaders and foundations 
across the nation. By providing advice and creative planning 
strategies, Ms. Darling works toward

[[Page E552]]

strengthening families through education, and moving them toward 
literacy and self-sufficiency; both essential steps in breaking the 
intergenerational cycle of poverty. She continues to have a lasting 
impact in helping to shape welfare reform, education reform and develop 
the skilled workforce of our nation.
  The National Humanities Medal will not be the first time Ms. Darling 
has received recognition for her efforts. In 2000, she received the 
Razor Walker Award from the University of North Carolina for her 
contributions to lives of children and youth. She also has been honored 
with the Women of Distinction Award from Birmingham Southern University 
in 1999; the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism from Johns 
Hopkins University in 1998; the Charles A. Dana Award for Pioneering 
Achievement in Education in 1996; and the Harold H. McGraw Award for 
Outstanding Educator in 1993. Several honorary doctorate degrees and a 
feature on the Arts & Entertainment television network's series, 
``Biography'' further exemplify the impact Ms. Darling has had in 
regards to education and literacy.
  The National Humanities Medal, the Federal Government's highest honor 
recognizing achievement in the humanities, acknowledges individuals or 
groups whose work broadens citizens' engagement with and expands 
Americans' access to important resources in the humanities. By 
providing literary assistance to children and their parents, Ms. 
Darling's family literacy programs are helping reverse the disturbing 
trend of illiteracy in families, and improve the academic achievement 
of children. We all know that reading is critical to overall success in 
school--if a student cannot read the math problem, he cannot achieve in 
math--if he cannot read his science book, he cannot understand our 
changing world. Ms. Darling has striven toward the ideals personified 
by the National Humanities Medal, and her distinction is much deserved. 
I commend her on receiving this award, and thank her for the work she 
has done, and will continue to do.

                          ____________________