[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 64 (Friday, May 17, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E843]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING SHIRLEY WRIGHT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 16, 2002

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to pay special tribute to 
a woman who has been an inspiration to so many schoolchildren 
throughout the last 40 years. Today, on her retirement from the Santa 
Barbara School District, I would like to honor Mrs. Shirley Wright.
  Mrs. Wright began her career in 1958, at Lincoln School, when she was 
the first African American teacher to be hired in the district. Since 
then, she has taught at two other local schools, Franklin School, where 
she was in the classroom for 25 years, and Washington School, where she 
teaches today. Throughout her career, countless students and faculty 
alike have benefited from Mrs. Wright's exemplary teaching styles.
  A native of Santa Barbara, it was Shirley Wright's dream to teach in 
the Santa Barbara schools. Yet in the 1950s, it was difficult for 
African Americans to get hired in many occupations. The Santa Barbara 
Police Department did not have any black officers and the school 
district did not have any black teachers. However, Mrs. Wright's 
determination broke down the barrier, as, after interviewing with three 
principals, she was offered a position at the Lincoln School.
  Today, over 40 years later, Mrs. Wright has often found herself 
teaching the children of her former students. Parents who have either 
experienced Mrs. Wright's compassionate yet challenging teaching styles 
themselves, or have heard about her from friends or neighbors, often 
line up in the principal's office months in advance as they attempt to 
secure a spot for their child in Mrs. Wright's first grade class.
  We are blessed to have such a wonderful educator in our midst, and I 
am certain that she will be sorely missed upon her retirement. Yet the 
legacy of Shirley Wright will continue on, as she will be fondly 
remembered by the thousands of children who have passed through her 
classrooms. I urge you to join me today in thanking Mrs. Wright for her 
invaluable contributions to the Santa Barbara School District, and 
wishing her the best in all of her future endeavors.

                          ____________________