[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1033]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MRS. EVELYN BILLINGSLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. JOHN J. DUNCAN, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2003

  Mr. DUNCAN. Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Evelyn Billingsley was the head 
custodian at Blue Grass Elementary School in Knoxville, Tennessee. On 
May 19, 2003, she arrived at her final day of work in a white, stretch 
limousine.
  A red carpet led the way into the halls of the school Mrs. 
Billingsley had swept, mopped and waxed for more than two decades. A 
crowd of adoring fans lined the carpet and sang, ``When you leave, 
we'll be so blue. Miss Evelyn, we love you.'' After 23 years of 
service, Mrs. Billingsley has retired.
  Affectionately called Miss Evelyn by her Blue Grass Elementary 
family, this hardworking lady is described by students and teachers 
alike as the glue that held the school together. I am told it was rare 
not to find Miss Evelyn in the school, even on weekends or snowdays.
  Evelyn Billingsley never became rich or famous from the work she did, 
but she has touched the lives of countless people, and she will not 
only be remembered fondly at Blue Grass Elementary School, but she will 
be deeply missed. I have no doubt she has offered the children there 
lessons in life and love as she roamed the halls and cleaned the 
classrooms.
  Knoxville, Tennessee, is a better place because of her, and I believe 
this Nation is, as well.
  I would like to call to the attention of my colleagues and other 
readers of the Record the article which ran on May 20, 2003, in the 
Knoxville News-Sentinel concerning this outstanding American.

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