[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 123 (Monday, October 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1780]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF ANN COONERTY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 4, 2004

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ann Coonerty in tribute 
of her 90th birthday. Ann is a native Californian and long time 
resident of Santa Cruz County who continues to offer her services as an 
educator to our community. It is my pleasure to stand in this House and 
honor Ann's 90th birthday.
  Ann McGinley Coonerty was born in Santa Maria, California on October 
16th, 1914. She excelled in school and, at age 19, became the first 
woman in her family to earn a college degree. She graduated from U.C. 
Berkeley in 1934 with a teaching credential and a degree in 
mathematics; soon after, she began her teaching career in the Santa 
Maria area. In 1941, she took a break to marry Kevin Coonerty and start 
a family. When Kevin returned home from serving in World War II, he 
used the GI Bill to earn a degree in engineering. During this time, Ann 
tutored her husband in mathematics while raising their three children.
  After Kevin began working for Rocketdyne in Southern California in 
1953, Ann returned to teaching. In 1975 Ann and her family moved to 
Santa Cruz where she began working at Happy Valley Elementary School as 
a teacher's aide. Twenty-nine years later, she is quite simply an 
institution and an inspiration to parents, children and colleagues. 
Even today, as Ann approaches her 90th birthday, she plans to continue 
volunteering her time as an aide.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud Ann Coonerty's achievements, accomplishments, 
and her dedication to education. She has demonstrated a unique passion 
for family, community, and to her profession. Ann has devoted her life 
to teaching and tutoring students, a service for which our community is 
eternally grateful. I join the County of Santa Cruz, and friends and 
family in honoring this truly commendable woman.

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