[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 138 (Tuesday, December 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2177]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO SHEILA PETERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2004

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Sheila Peterson, 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.
  Sheila and her family have had a long connection to the Sacred Heart 
Schools. First, she had a great aunt who was part of the convent in St. 
Charles, Missouri. Next, her mother, Winifred Carreras Sullivan went to 
Jackson Street and Lone Mountain, where she made great lifelong 
friends. Winnie married Raymond Sullivan, later a distinguished Justice 
of the California Supreme Court, and Sheila, the eldest of their five 
children, ``met'' the Sacred Heart at Broadway in the 7th grade.
  Ever since, Sheila has found a connection and a place with Sacred 
Heart. To quote Sheila, ``Sacred Heart/Menlo/Atherton is our place: The 
first generation was my great aunt; the second was my mother; the 
third, my sisters and I; the fourth, the Peterson and Sullivan cousins. 
And at present, my son is on the English faculty and our cousin, 
Elizabeth is the new Alumni Director. I hope that someday, at some 
Sacred Heart School, they will find the same satisfaction that I 
received from helping here''.
  Over the years, Sheila's involvement with Sacred Heart has taken many 
forms. She has served as a Room Mother (sometimes for all three of her 
children), Parent Club Head, substitute teacher, soccer coach, and 
Auction worker in the Main Building Basement. She has had a hand in 
sports activities, field trips, drama, the Booster Club, the school's 
Annual Fund, two Capital Campaigns, and ultimately helped to plan the 
Centennial Celebration for Sacred Heart. Sheila has recently been 
working as the Events Coordinator, and as always, doing an 
extraordinary job.
  In 1987, Sheila served on the Board of Trustees. With the support of 
her husband, Ron, and three children, Molly, Katie, and Michael, she 
guided the school through the Loma Prieta earthquake, subsequent 
discussions and contentions about repair or razing, tight finances, a 
small endowment, and the co-ed Prep in the early stages. All these 
weighty issues took time and great commitment. Sheila served with 
distinction and her prudent, wise leadership has benefited Sacred Heart 
Schools immensely.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this great 
and inspiring member of our community, Sheila Peterson, as she is 
honored with the St. Madeleine Sophie Medal.

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