[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 137 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOAN EAGLESON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 6, 2004

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Joan Eagleson, who was 
recently honored with the highest award of Sacred Heart Schools, the 
St. Madeleine Sophie Medal by the Schools of the Sacred Heart in 
Atherton, California.
  An extraordinary educator at St. Joseph's School, Joan has said her 
greatest teachers are the children she works with every day. The 
children are her delight and lifeline. Joan believes children are 
grounding and one has only to listen to their truth and see their 
beauty. Joan's ability to really hear children draws them to her and 
she is always there for them.
  Joan received her MA in Counseling from the College of Notre Dame. 
Recognizing the need for children to be heard, she spearheaded the 
Middle School Advisory Program and the Rainbows Program. Joan is 
marvelous at helping children recognize the light and love in 
themselves. One student said, ``Have you ever noticed how good you feel 
about yourself after talking with Mrs. Eagleson?'' What better 
testimony to Joan's ability to bring out the best in a person.
  When Sister Ann McGowan, RSCJ hired Joan 16 years ago, she was given 
the opportunity to teach and run the library. Joan recalls with 
gratitude Sister Helen Daly's mentoring. Sister Daly saw in Joan the 
capacity to become a bridge where children could find consolation and 
support in the new and mysterious world of books and learning. Anyone 
who has ever walked through St. Joseph's library can feel it is a 
welcoming place of comfort, warmth, trust and generosity. Joan doesn't 
fit the stereotype of the librarian who only says, ``Shh, be quiet.'' 
Joan creates an atmosphere of enthusiasm for learning, a place where 
children have time to discover, to be curious, to be imaginative, to 
know the value of not knowing and then, of asking the question and 
knowing how and where to find the answer. Most importantly, Joan guides 
children to recognize that what is essential they have within.
  When asked what she hoped for the children to learn at St. Joseph's 
School, Joan said, ``the value of simplicity and balance in life; the 
value of time to be; the value of being present to the moment; the 
value of embracing life wholeheartedly; the value of working in 
community; the value of human touch; the value of experiencing joy in 
the process of learning.''
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this great 
and inspiring educator, Joan Eagleson, as she is honored with the St. 
Madeleine Sophie Medal.

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