[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 72 (Thursday, June 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MRS. ELIZABETH R. RUSIN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RAHM EMANUEL

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 7, 2006

  Mr. EMANUEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise this evening to recognize Mrs. 
Elizabeth R. Rusin of Chicago. Mrs. Rusin will be retiring after four 
decades as an educator and administrator with the Archdiocese of 
Chicago.
  Mrs. Rusin grew up at Maryville Academy in Chicago where she 
graduated high school. After attending 1 year at Clark College in 
Dubuque, Iowa, she left college to raise a family. She later returned 
to college to earn a bachelor of arts in speech therapy and education 
at Mundelein College in Chicago.
  In 1971, Mrs. Rusin taught at St. Viator School in Chicago, where she 
served as assistant principal from 1974 to 1979, when she left to 
attend Northern Illinois University, where she earned a master's degree 
in educational administration. From September 1980 to June 1988, Mrs. 
Rusin served as principal of St. Francis of Assisi School in Chicago, 
where she met her husband, Ben Rusin, who was actively involved in the 
parish. In 1989, Mrs. Rusin returned to the classroom to teach junior 
high school science for 2 years at St. Edward School in Chicago.
  In 1991, Mrs. Rusin came to St. Josaphat School in Chicago, where she 
has served as principal for the past 15 years. When Mrs. Rusin began 
her tenure, St. Josaphat had 85 students and was on the brink of 
closing. Today, St. Josaphat is flourishing with over 250 students. 
Through a groundbreaking program with DePaul University, Mrs. Rusin has 
brought new learning methods to St. Josaphat. Mrs. Rusin and Dr. 
Akihiko Takahashi joined forces to train St. Josaphat teachers, as well 
as DePaul student teachers, in the methods of learning and teaching 
utilized in Japanese schools.
  During Mrs. Rusin's time as principal of St. Josaphat, the school has 
been widely recognized throughout the Archdiocese and the city of 
Chicago as one of the premiere educational facilities for pre-school 
through 8th grade. Mrs. Rusin was recently awarded the Sheffield Star 
Award, presented each year to two individuals who bring distinction and 
leadership to their profession and make the Sheffield Neighborhood a 
multi-faceted and desirable place to live.
  Under the leadership of Mrs. Rusin, St. Josaphat continues to achieve 
its mission to educate and challenge its students to see beyond 
themselves and go beyond the familiar so that they may lead 
responsible, fulfilling lives. Mrs. Rusin has been devoted to preparing 
her students for academic excellence in their continuing educations.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of a deeply grateful community and with 
enormous appreciation for decades of dedicated service to students, 
alumni, faculty, staff, and friends, I thank Mrs. Elizabeth Rusin for 
her extraordinary leadership and selfless commitment to learning and to 
the city of Chicago. Mrs. Rusin left a mark on each school she was a 
part of and will not be forgotten. We will remember her countless 
contributions, and wish her continued success in her retirement.

                          ____________________