[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 90 (Friday, June 25, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1239-E1240]
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 JOHN W. MOODY OF JACKSON, 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 Jackson, 
Michigan that significantly influenced and motivated exceptional 
students in academics and leadership who were winners of the LeGrand 
Smith Scholarship.
  John W. Moody teaches Mathematics and Physics at Concord High School 
in Concord, Michigan. He is credited with instilling in students an 
enthusiasm for not only these subjects, but also for life. As two of 
his students said, Matthew Wixson and Michael Horosko, ``He takes time 
to explain something if I don't understand it, and he is always there 
to give a bit of wisdom. He has helped shape who I am and I will be 
forever grateful to him for that.'' And, ``Mr. Moody taught me 
excellent math and science strategies, but even more important he 
taught me lessons about life. He is an excellent teacher, but even more 
so, a good friend.'' The respect and gratitude of his students speaks 
well of John's ability to challenge young minds and encourage them to 
always put forth their best effort.
  John W. Moody's 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 John's impact on his students is 
certainly worthy of recognition.

[[Page E1240]]

  On behalf of the Congress of the United States of America, I am proud 
to extend our highest praise to John W. Moody. We thank him for his 
continuing dedication to teaching and his willingness and ability to 
challenge and inspire students to strive for success.

                          ____________________