[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 25, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 FOR THE LOVE OF TEACHING--A TRIBUTE TO REMARKABLE DORIS DUNLAP DARDEN

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                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 25, 2003

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Doris Dunlap 
Darden, an educator who has devoted 50 years of service to the St. 
Louis Public School District. She has dedicated her life to enabling 
children to attain quality education and providing opportunities that 
help students realize their abilities and achieve their highest goals.
  She began her commendable teaching career in 1953 and has worked 
diligently to level the educational playing field for at-risk youth in 
low-income neighborhoods throughout the city of St. Louis. Darden has 
encouraged hundreds of children by setting high expectations and 
implementing programs for students to gain leadership and 
communications skills necessary to succeed in life. She has been 
committed to reaching both the students and their parents with her 
educational outreach. Darden impressively took the initiative to create 
``Home, School and Community,'' a program which introduced students to 
local and national newsmakers and celebrities. This innovative program 
allows famous guest speakers to encourage students to achieve academic 
excellence, while their parents attended informative workshops and 
seminars.
  Darden solidly believes that all children deserve a high quality 
education regardless of their socioeconomic status. As a tutor, early 
in her career, she took note of the way wealthy parents trained their 
children and introduced those same learning techniques to inner city 
students. Darden found that her efforts helped raise both the 
productivity level and esteem of children who would otherwise might 
have been cast off by society.
  In addition to her unwavering commitment to teaching, Darden has 
selflessly allotted time for community service. She had dedicated 
numerous hours to working with the Colored Women's Association, 
National Association of University Women, Tot's N' Teens, various city-
wide committees and Leadership for Teachers.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great privilege that I recognize Doris Dunlap 
Darden to today before Congress. This extraordinary women strongly 
believes that every child has the capacity to learn and deserves a 
chance to express that capacity through life goals. In 50 years, Darden 
has influentially touched the lives of thousands of young people in 
classrooms and throughout the St. Louis community. She has a stellar 
record of demonstrating compassion in the classroom. I ask that my 
colleagues join me in honoring a treasured member of the St. Louis 
community, Doris Dunlap Darden.

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