[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 138 (Tuesday, December 7, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2188]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM NEIDIG

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 7, 2004

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor William Neidig, who was 
recently honored with the prestigious St. Madeleine Sophie Medal by the 
Schools of the Sacred Heart in Atherton, California.
  Bill grew up on the east coast and graduated from Princeton 
University with an engineering degree before coming West to attend the 
Business School at Stanford University. After graduation, Bill and his 
wife Christy settled in Palo Alto because of the city's outstanding 
public school system, and Bill began in the real estate business.
  Fate intervened and the Neidig's enrolled their daughter Stephanie in 
the kindergarten at St. Joseph's. Bill says that growing up he had 
never really known a nun. But after meeting the Religious of the Sacred 
Heart he came to appreciate the well educated women who have devoted 
themselves to educating his children, and he was sold on the school and 
wanted to help out.
  Bill joined the Building and Grounds Committee in 1990 and joined the 
board of trustees in 1991, where he has continued to serve ever since, 
except for a mandatory one year sabbatical. In this capacity, Bill 
worked diligently to maintain and upgrade the facilities and grounds at 
Sacred Heart. He has been involved in upgrading St. Joseph's 
classrooms, offices, and science lab. He developed Spieker Pavilion, 
the Main Building, the Aquatics Center, the West Wing and the library, 
the football field, the track and tennis facilities, and most recently 
the Performing Arts Center. At no other time in the history of Sacred 
Heart Schools Atherton has so much been accomplished in such a short 
time period.
  Bill has also served on the Finance Committee, where his familiar 
cry, ``Less is more, but will it do everything you need?'' has been a 
guiding principle in the financial decisions of the school.
  Bill knows how to ask the right questions and get the right answers. 
Whenever something needs to be done, he can be counted on to make sure 
it gets done. He has been extraordinarily giving of his time and 
talent, and his support for Sacred Heart Schools is an inspiration to 
all.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this great 
and inspiring man, William Neidig, as he is honored with the St. 
Madeleine Sophie Medal.

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