[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 3, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1676]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


               TRIBUTE TO REVEREND DR. FRANK NAPIER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 3, 2003

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call your attention to the 
life and work of an outstanding individual who I feel fortunate to have 
been able to call my friend. The late Reverend Doctor Frank Napier, Jr. 
of Paterson, New Jersey, was recognized on Friday, August 15, 2003, for 
his unwavering commitment to education with the official dedication of 
Paterson Public School #4 as the Dr. Frank Napier, Jr. School of 
Technology.
  During his distinguished career in education, Dr. Napier served the 
young men and women of Paterson as an elementary school teacher, 
administrator, coach, role model, and friend. It is only fitting that 
he be honored in this, the permanent record of the greatest freely 
elected body on earth.
  For as long as I can remember, the personal and professional life of 
Dr. Napier has been inextricably intertwined with the city of Paterson, 
New Jersey. Born and raised in Paterson, Frank attended Public School 
#4 and Paterson Central High School before going on to receive his B.S. 
and M.A. degrees from William Paterson Teachers College. For those who 
knew him, his decision to return to the city of Paterson after college 
came as no surprise. It was during this period that Frank and his wife, 
Margaret, chose to settle down in Paterson and raise their family. Over 
the next 37 years, Dr. Napier's life work as an educator and community 
leader in Paterson would change the lives of countless young men and 
women.
  Frank Napier began his professional career in the Paterson School 
System as an elementary school teacher and assistant football coach of 
Kennedy High School. In 1972, he was appointed the Assistant 
Superintendent of Paterson Public Schools and, four years later, became 
the first African American to serve as the Superintendent of Schools. 
Always searching for ways to better serve his students and their 
families, Frank returned to school once more and, in 1984, earned his 
Doctorate in Education from the University of Massachusetts. Soon after 
receiving this degree, Dr. Napier began augmenting his work as 
Superintendent of Schools by returning to the classroom as an adjunct 
professor at William Paterson University.
  In many ways, Dr. Napier's commitment to the community of Paterson 
extended far beyond the classroom walls. As district chairperson for 
the Passaic County Boy Scouts of America, as an active member of the 
Board of Trustees for the Paterson Public Library, and as pastor of the 
Gazaway Baptist Church, Dr. Napier left an indelible mark on the lives 
of all with whom he came in contact. The quest for personal and 
professional excellence to which Dr. Napier dedicated his life, is a 
legacy that lives on in each of the students whose lives he touched.
  Mr. Speaker, the job of a United States Congressman involves so much 
that is rewarding, yet nothing compares to recognizing the efforts of 
devoted educators and public servants like Doctor Napier. I ask that 
you join our colleagues, the faculty and students of Paterson School 
#4, Dr. Napier's family and friends, and myself in recognizing the late 
Reverend Dr. Frank Napier, Jr., for his life of outstanding service.

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