[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 69 (Friday, May 24, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E925]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E925]]
         DONALD R. SANDOR: TEACHING GOD'S MESSAGE FOR 26 YEARS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2002

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Donald Sandor as he 
prepares to retire after 40 years of faithful, accomplished teaching 
and music ministry leadership, the past 25 years of which were spent at 
Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Bay City, Michigan. Don's 
devotion and joyfulness in sharing the good news of God's love in 
Christ with his students and our congregation has made him an 
invaluable part of Lutheran education in our community.
  A native of Akron, Ohio, Don is one of two children born to Mary 
Sandor and the late Julius Sandor, from whom he received the love and 
support that helped mold him into the wonderful educator he is today. 
Don is a product of Lutheran schools in Ohio. He later earned a 
bachelor's degree from Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, 
Illinois, and a master's degree from Saginaw Valley State University.
  Since 1962, as a Lutheran school teacher, Don has shared with 
children the basics of reading, writing, arithmetic, music and 
especially our faith in the Lord our God and Savior. His faith and 
submission to God's call first led Don to Lutheran schools in 
Cincinnati, Ohio; St. Louis, Missouri; and, Lincoln Park, Michigan. Don 
came to Bay City's Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in 1977, first 
as a seventh-grade teacher and then teacher of the fifth grade. 
Throughout his 25 years at Immanuel, Don has been active as a leader in 
both the church's and school's music ministry, serving as parish music 
coordinator, organist and choir director. He also assisted as a school 
choir director and organist.
  Don has always found ways to use his God-given talent outside his own 
classrooms and parishes. Organizations including the American Guild of 
Organists and the Saginaw Valley Chapter of the A.G.O. Executive Board, 
the Michigan District North and West Teachers Conference Executive 
Board and the Midland Music Festival Committee have benefited from 
Don's input and influence. Of course, Don's wife, Kathy, and daughters, 
Julie, Jill and Laurel, have been a large part of his success and they, 
too, deserve our thanks.
  Finally, Mr. Speaker, I wish to praise Don for setting and 
maintaining high standards of excellence in education and in his faith. 
The elementary and middle school years set the groundwork for future 
success and Don's teaching ministry has served his students and our 
community well. I ask my colleagues to join me in expressing gratitude 
to Don Sandor for his dedicated service to our children and in wishing 
him an enjoyable retirement.

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