[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 49 (Friday, April 26, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E641]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO SHARON EARLY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 2002

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this means to congratulate and 
pay tribute to Sharon Early, who was recently recognized by the 
Missouri Association of School Librarians with the Special Service 
Award.
  Mrs. Early began her career in education 38 years ago after 
graduating from Central Missouri State University. She has spent her 
entire career in the Lee's Summit R-7 School District. She taught five 
years at Westview Elementary, was the Library Media Specialist at Lee's 
Summit Jr. High School for two years and Pleasant Lea Jr. High School 
for 16 years. She currently serves as Director of Library Media 
Services for the Lee's Summit School District. In this position, she 
coordinates twenty professional staff, four secretaries and twenty-nine 
library support staff.
  Sharon Early helped to found and was later president of the Greater 
Kansas City Association of School Librarians. Her participation in the 
Missouri Association of School Librarians (MASL) has included time as 
president and treasurer, among other offices. Within the American 
Association of School Librarians, Mrs. Early has served as a delegate 
to the Affiliate Assembly and on various committees.
  Her other professional affiliations include the American Library 
Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development and 
Missouri State Teachers Association. She is currently serving on the 
Secretary of State's Council on Library Development, the Missouri 
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's VIDEO/Technology 
Committee, the MASL Board of Directors and the MASL Leadership Team. 
She teaches graduate classes in library/media science as an adjunct 
professor for the University of Missouri and is a certified 7 Habits 
trainer. Additionally, she has presented workshops on copyright, 
integrated library/media curriculum, inspiration and the Internet.
  MASL's Special Service Award may be presented annually to someone who 
has served library media organizations at the national, state and local 
levels. This person must also demonstrate leadership through improved 
library services in the educational setting, such as in workshops and 
development of innovative curriculum or media center programs. Finally, 
the winner must have made significant contributions to the promotion of 
school libraries outside the immediate school library arena such as to 
school administrators, community patrons, and state and federal 
legislators. Mr. Speaker, I know that my colleagues in the House will 
join me in saluting Sharon Early for receiving this well deserved 
award.

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