[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 68 (Friday, May 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E968]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E968]]
         HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MS. GLADYS ADINA ABRAHAM

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. DONNA M. CHRISTENSEN

                         of the virgin islands

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2006

  Mrs. CHRISTENSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Ms. 
Gladys Adina Abraham on the most special and significant occasion of 
the renaming of the Kirwan Terrace School in her honor.
  When historians look at the success story of the U.S. Virgin Islands 
in the 20th century--from islands purchased for $25 million in 1917 and 
said to be not worth the price, and its labeling as a ``poorhouse'' by 
a visiting President, to the modern thriving American Caribbean 
metropolis, with its urban center and suburbs, a thriving middle class 
and a university fulfilling its function for more than 40 years as one 
of the magnets and engines for socioeconomic progress in the region--
the heroes who will be undoubtedly identified, are the 20th century 
Virgin Islands teachers. I am amazed and inspired by their 
accomplishments against the odds of geographical location and lack of 
resources at that time and the legacy they continue to create today. 
These educators, both men and women, on all three islands that comprise 
the U.S. Virgin Islands encouraged their students to strive for the 
best. It is this spirit, personified by the life service and 
contribution of Ms. Gladys Dina Abraham, which we honor.
  Ms. Abraham received her Bachelor of Science degree with a major in 
Elementary Education from New York University, was awarded a Fulbright 
scholarship in 1956 to study sociology in India, and received a Masters 
of Arts in Psychology from Columbia University in 1962. Like others in 
her generation, Ms. Abraham could have taken her degrees from our 
islands' educational institutions and been better remunerated 
elsewhere. Instead, she returned home and shared her expertise with the 
children of the Virgin Islands; enlarging their world, expanding their 
horizons and inspiring their pursuit of knowledge as she served as 
teacher and later principal at Sibilly, Lockhart and first at Kirwan 
Terrace Elementary School.
  From the inception, Ms. Abraham established a standard of excellence 
in education with far less funding, essentially no technology and less 
educational training and certifications than are required today. Her 
standards produced students who became governors, legislators, church, 
business and civic leaders. Our community owes a debt of gratitude to 
Ms. Abraham, and others like her, who taught our children well and gave 
them a stake in the future of the Virgin Islands.
  Kirwan Terrace School was originally named for a former Member of 
Congress who was instrumental in providing funding to build the 
neighborhood in which the school now sits. And while we did right to 
honor Congressman Kirwan--as in almost everything else we have received 
in our history--the school came about because of the insistence and 
advocacy of the community; in particular, the urging of the mothers. We 
thank them and Ms. Abraham for inspiring us and generations to come.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that on behalf of my family, 
staff and the 109th Congress that I extend my profound congratulations 
and thanks to Ms. Abraham on the renaming of the Kirwan Terrace School 
in her honor.

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