[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1237-E1238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF 2004 LEGRAND SMITH OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD 
                 WINNER LOLA COLLINS OF PARMA, MICHIGAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, education is the key to our 
Nation's future prosperity and security. The formidable responsibility 
of molding and inspiring young minds to the avenues of hope, 
opportunity and achievement partially rests in the hands of our 
teachers. Today, I would like to recognize a teacher from Parma, 
Michigan that significantly influenced and motivated exceptional 
students in academics and leadership who were winners of the LeGrand 
Smith Scholarship.
  Lola Collins teaches fourth and fifth grade at Parma Elementary in 
Parma. She is credited with instilling in students an enthusiasm for 
not only these subjects, but also for life. As one of her students, 
Kelli McCarrell, said, ``She showed me how to be who I am, and not be

[[Page E1238]]

afraid of experiences. Because she was my teacher for two years, she 
watched me grow up. Both of these years, she encouraged my curiosity 
for life and my energetic passion for knowledge--it is her influence 
that has helped me become who I am today.'' The respect and gratitude 
of her students speaks well of Lola's ability to challenge young minds 
and encourage them to always put forth their best effort.
  Lola Collins' extraordinary work as a teacher has challenged and 
inspired countless students to move beyond the teenage tendency of 
superficial study and encourage them to foster deeper thought and 
connections to the real world. Arguably, no profession is more 
important because of its daily influence upon the future leaders of our 
community and our country, and Lola's impact on her students is 
certainly worthy of recognition.
  On behalf of the Congress of the United States of America, I am proud 
to extend our highest praise to Lola Collins. We thank her for her 
continuing dedication to teaching and her willingness and ability to 
challenge and inspire students to strive for success.

                          ____________________