[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 87 (Friday, June 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1252]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO MRS. SHEILA O'LEARY FOR HER 14 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE 
                 IMMACULATE CONCEPTION REGIONAL SCHOOL

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                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2003

  Mr. GARRETT of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the 
efforts of Mrs. Sheila O'Leary. After nearly 40 years as an educator, 
14 years of which as the principal of the Immaculate Conception 
Regional School (ICRS) in Franklin, New Jersey, Mrs. O'Leary is now 
moving on to work at the Catholic Diocese of Paterson.
  Political theorist Henry Adams once wrote, ``A teacher affects 
eternity.'' He believed that the influence of educators over children 
is never ending. He understood that educators like Mrs. O'Leary play a 
vital role in the moral and intellectual education of our children.
  During her years of dedicated service Mrs. O'Leary has inspired 
students, fueled their imaginations, advanced their natural abilities 
and encouraged them to explore the possibilities that life has to 
offer.
  As an educator, Mrs. O'Leary could have chosen any school to work 
at--yet she chose Immaculate Conception. She took road less traveled 
and chose to take on the challenge of building ICRS into the great 
school it is today. With her guidance and a strong commitment to 
helping her students, Immaculate is now a better place. By increasing 
attendance and expanding the number of classrooms, constructing new 
science labs and starting a pre-K program, to name just a few, Mrs. 
O'Leary has fulfilled her deep conviction in giving every child a 
chance to learn and succeed in life. Truly she has brought new life to 
the school and its community.
  Over the last 40 years, not only has she taught children the 
important concepts of reading and writing, but she has also educated 
them about the difference between right and wrong. She taught them to 
welcome knowledge and to reject ignorance. For this, Mrs. O'Leary is a 
model for America's educators and young people to follow.
  On behalf of the people of New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, 
it is with great honor, that I recognize and thank Mrs. Sheila O'Leary 
for her years of service to the Immaculate Conception community. Our 
nation is very fortunate to have her in our schools working with the 
future of our great Nation.

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