[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 69 (Monday, May 23, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO MS. CYNTHIA DUNN KEARLY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES P. MORAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 23, 2005

  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a teacher 
who has made an impact on our community through selfless dedication and 
commitment to her students. Ms. Cynthia Dunn Kearly is a special 
education teacher at Douglas MacArthur Elementary School in Alexandria, 
Virginia. But to her students and their families, she is much more than 
that. An educator with gifts of creativity and passion, Ms. Kearly 
serves as an inspiration for what great instructors can offer.
  At Douglas MacArthur Elementary School, Ms. Kearly is regularly asked 
to take students with special needs and foster in them confidence and 
success. Her work with students has not only earned her the respect of 
parents and her colleagues, but has also won her numerous accolades 
locally and nationwide. As an educator in the Alexandria City Public 
School system, Ms. Kearly was a recipient of the Harry Burke Award for 
Outstanding Performance in Special Education. This honor has been 
bestowed on many great teachers and Ms. Kearly's selection follows 
perfectly in this tradition.
  Additionally, Ms. Kearly's exemplary work is being recognized 
nationally as well. She is one of three teachers nationwide to be 
awarded the 2005 Commonwealth Academy Recognition for Educators (CARE) 
Award. The CARE award recognizes outstanding educators who have made 
significant contributions to leaving no child behind in their local 
communities. The focus of the award is to highlight teachers who work 
with students that have organizational, attention and learning 
challenges. To her coworkers and supervisors, there is little doubt 
that Ms. Kearly is a worthy recipient. The Superintendent of Schools 
for the City of Alexandria has said about her that ``She truly 
exemplifies the kind of professional who should be recognized and 
honored for her great work with special needs students.''
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have Ms. Kearly teach within Virginia's 
Eighth Congressional District. She is transforming lives with her 
selfless dedication to serving young people in our community. I often 
remind friends and neighbors that good teachers are among our greatest 
assets in Northern Virginia. For this reason, we must take 
opportunities to encourage our best and brightest to commit themselves 
to this service, but also to thank the men and women already giving so 
much of themselves.

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