[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 9 (Tuesday, January 31, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E16-E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNITION OF MS. CHRISTINE TOLBERT'S EXTRAORDINARY WORK AS AN 
                                EDUCATOR

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 31, 2006

  Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I rise 
before you today to recognize the efforts of a truly significant person 
in the education field. Not only is it a privilege to represent her in 
the Second Congressional District of Maryland, but also to call Ms. 
Christine Tolbert a friend.
  Ms. Tolbert breathed her passion for educating youth into the Hosanna 
School, known for being the first African-American school in Harford 
County. As years have past, the school has been adopted by the National 
Registry of Historic Places, serving as a museum

[[Page E17]]

and as grounds for living history. Ms. Tolbert has been the Executive 
Director of this project since nineteen hundred eighty.
  She took particular interest in this school because her ancestors 
have lived in Harford County as early as the 1700s. During her years as 
a student, schools, libraries, theatres, and restaurants were 
segregated. Here she is able to share with students of all ages the 
African American history unique to Harford County. Spectators are able 
to tour the one-room schoolhouse while learning what our fellow 
Americans have overcome.
  This generation's students may be surprised that furthering her 
education seemed a mere fantasy. However, a friend, Mr. Stephen P. 
Moore, Jr. showed her family it was not only a reality, but an 
undeniable opportunity. She attended Maryland State Teachers' College 
in Bowie, Maryland. Upon graduation, she began work in Harford County 
Public School where she taught every grade level in elementary school 
except kindergarten and third grade. Not feeling satisfied there, her 
thirst for knowledge continued. She went on to obtain a Master's degree 
from Loyola College in guidance and counseling.
  Next, she served as a guidance counselor at Aberdeen High School 
where she developed Harford School's first Black Heritage Club. She 
didn't stop there; she also worked with others to form Black Youth in 
Action. Despite the demands of her current job, Ms. Tolbert sought more 
for herself. Her quest for reaching students still did not seem 
complete. Back to school again, this time earning the requirements 
needed to qualify for an administration position. She served as 
Supervisor of Elementary and Secondary schools until she retired from 
the Harford County Public School system.
  Retirement didn't last long; she accepted a position as a Career 
Counselor at Open Doors Career Center. Shortly thereafter, she spread 
her branches into the college world as she joined the Harford Community 
College team as an adjunct professor.
  Ms. Tolbert has dedicated her life to educating the future leaders of 
our country. She has received awards from the Maryland Retired 
Teachers' Association, the National Retired Teachers' Association, and 
she's received an award for Excellence from Colin Powell's group 
America's Promise. She's also received Harford County's coveted 
historic preservation award for her book A Journey Through Berkley 
Maryland which she co-authored with Constance Beims. She's an inductee 
of Harford County's Educator's Hall of Fame, and she's received 
recognition by Governor Hughes for the time she and her husband spent 
as foster parents.
  Mr. Speaker, as you can see from this incredible list of 
accomplishments Ms. Christine Tolbert is truly an asset to the 
educational field. Her heart has always been devoted to bettering our 
nation's youth. She is an advocate for kids of all ages. I have often 
heard her say that if you guide children in the right direction and 
educate them, they will be successful. I ask that you join with me 
today to applaud the tremendous work she has done for this community.

                          ____________________