[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DR. POLLEYS

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2006

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great 
woman who has without reserve given her all to Muscogee County, GA. On 
this day, Dr. Polleys is retiring as chair of the Muscogee County 
School Board, a position which she has held for 13 years. She has 
faithfully served her community while blazing new trails for those who 
would follow.
  Dr. Polleys grew up in Harris County, GA and knew early on that she 
wanted to make a difference in her community. To that end, she came 
back to Columbus to teach school after graduating from Mercer 
University. Not long thereafter, Mary Sue completed her master's degree 
at Auburn University and taught speech at the college level for 7 
years, tutored extensively, and became involved in corporate training. 
In accordance with her ambitious nature, she did not stop with her 
master's but went on to receiver her doctor of philosophy degree from 
Auburn and served as director of the Servant Leadership Program at 
Columbus State University until her retirement.
  After being elected to the Muscogee County School Board in November 
of 1993, Dr. Polleys led the school board to a place where consensus 
was the norm, mutual respect was expected, and discourtesy was simply 
not acceptable. In less than 5 years, the school system resolved its 
leadership issues, passed a $160 million capital program by a 3-to-1 
margin, developed a fund balance of over 30 days, resolved its 
litigation, reversed the fall in test scores, and restored the 
confidence of administrators and teachers. More importantly, she 
restored the confidence of the parents and children whom the board 
serves.
  Other members of the Muscogee County School Board characterize her 
this way:

       As Chair, Dr. Polleys exemplified true leadership by 
     pushing us when we needed to be pushed, calmed us when we 
     needed to be calmed and taught us when we needed to be 
     taught. She helped take us from a group of nine individuals, 
     with nine separate agendas, to a school board of nine public 
     servants, with a single agenda, service to the community and 
     care for all its children.

  In a lasting tribute to Dr. Polleys, the school board entered this 
resolution:

       It has been said that all of us should be ashamed not to 
     have made at least one victory for mankind during our 
     lifetimes. By that standard, Dr. Polleys has earned not just 
     the right to be unashamed, but the right to be proud. If she 
     thought in terms of pride, she would be. She doesn't. If her 
     accomplishments are to be praised, we must praise them 
     because she won't.

  Today, as Dr. Polleys moves into retirement from government service, 
we honor her and thank her for all she has done for the benefit of 
Columbus, GA--as an elected official and as a private citizen dedicated 
to the good of others. Her exemplary service to her community has set a 
standard of dedication and leadership that has inspired many and will 
inspire many others.

                          ____________________