[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 143 (Tuesday, October 14, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S12531]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  TRIBUTE TO MRS. NANCY GARDNER SEWELL

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of Mrs. Nancy 
Gardner Sewell, a library media specialist/coordinator and head 
librarian at Selma High School in Selma, AL. After 36 years of 
exemplary commitment and dedicated service to the Selma City school 
system, Mrs. Sewell plans to retire on October 18, 2003.
  Mrs. Sewell is an educator, media specialist, civic leader, and 
strong advocate for children. Since 1993, she has tenaciously served 
the City of Selma, AL, as the first black female elected to its city 
council. Mrs. Sewell is multi-talented and has excelled in every avenue 
of her life, as indicated by the numerous honors and awards bestowed 
upon her by her peers and community. She has never been content with 
the status quo. Each endeavor throughout her rich life has been met 
with new and innovative ideas, insurmountable energy, and the ability 
to motivate people.
  Born and raised in Alabama, Mrs. Sewell married her college 
sweetheart, retired Coach Andrew A. Sewell, and became the mother of 
three children, Terri, Andrew, and Anthony. Her distinguished 
educational background includes a bachelor of science degree from 
Alabama State University, a masters degree from Purdue University, and 
advanced course work in other graduate studies at Atlanta University 
and the University of Alabama.
  Among many of Mrs. Sewell's outstanding achievements and honors, she 
pioneered the development of elementary libraries in the Selma City 
Schools, was instrumental in maintaining accreditation status for their 
libraries, implemented the ``Accelerated Reader's Program,'' 
revitalized the Selma-Dallas Youth and Government Council, and lobbied 
for grants to improve literacy through school libraries, just to name a 
few.
  Alabama is honored to be home to Mrs. Sewell. It is no secret that 
she is a woman who, day in and day out, goes above and beyond the call 
of duty. She is to be commended for all of her extraordinary efforts on 
behalf of Selma, AL, and everyone whose life she has touched.

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