[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 66 (Tuesday, April 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          IN RECOGNITION OF MARJORIE ``PEGGY'' KATHLEEN HELLER

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                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2007

  Mr. CARDOZA. Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise 
today to remember the late Marjorie Kathleen Heller. Known to all as 
``Peggy,'' she was a wonderful friend, a remarkable teacher, an 
outstanding mother, and an extraordinary member of our community in 
Atwater, California. At the age of 91, Peggy Heller passed away on 
Friday, April 20, 2007.
  This occasion is particularly personal to me because Peggy Heller was 
my reading teacher in the third grade. She taught me to read in a small 
silver trailer on the playground of Elmer Wood Elementary School in 
Atwater. She was an inspiring woman, a great friend, and I never knew 
her to have a bad day. Peggy's love for children was evident in her 
words, her generosity, and her entire persona. She was a pillar of the 
community, an amazing educator and a dear friend who will be missed by 
everyone in our community.
  Peggy Heller was born in Oakland, California, on June 15, 1915, to 
Walter and Mac Gernreich. She graduated from the University of 
California, Berkeley in 1935 at the age of 19 and began teaching a year 
later at South Fork Union High School in Miranda, California. In 1938, 
she married Jim Heller and they moved to Atwater, California.
  Peggy devoted her life to the field of education and to her 
community. During the early years of her sons' lives, she worked as a 
substitute teacher at Livingston High School. She later began her work 
as a full-time teacher in Atwater in 1943. While working as a third 
grade teacher, the superintendent, Mr. Tom Olaeta, suggested she pursue 
her interests in reading instruction. She became Merced County's first 
reading specialist in 1955 and later earned her reading teacher's 
credentials in 1968.
  Many of the instructional approaches Peggy used as a teacher have now 
been implemented in schools across the Central Valley. She loved and 
respected children and strived to instill a positive feeling of self 
worth in each of them. She was also a mentor-teacher long before the 
idea was popular and she always assisted those who came to her for 
advice. She devoted countless hours to tutoring students and assisting 
teachers before, after school and on the weekends. She effortlessly 
helped diagnose and remediate students' reading troubles. She is an 
inspiration to many teachers, not only in Merced County, but to the 
State of California. Peggy believed each member of the school staff 
played a vital role in the education of youngsters. Not only did Peggy 
work hard in her classroom, she graciously hosted many special 
occasions for teachers such as Christmas get-togethers and retirement 
teas. Even though Peggy was the resident expert on reading instruction, 
her inquisitive nature led her to constantly read journals and books 
about education. She attended classes and seminars often at her own 
expense and she always shared her knowledge with others.
  In 1981, after 45 years of teaching, Peggy retired, briefly. She was 
called upon to teach English as a second language, which she did with 
much success. In 1987, Peggy was appointed supervisor for Chapman 
College.
  Aside from the fact that Peggy was an outstanding professional 
educator, she and her husband were great humanitarians. Throughout the 
years she served our community in a variety of capacities. She was 
responsible for forming the Atwater Recreation Commission and served as 
its first chairwoman. During her tenure as chairwoman, the commission 
built Ralston Park and Heller Park. She served on the County Recreation 
Commission, too. Both Peggy's and Jim's interest in Atwater's youth was 
shown by their effort to organize fundraisers for a new public swimming 
pool, the Atwater Plunge. They even housed Red Cross swimming 
instructors for many summers. She and her friends started a club for 
teens and taught dancing on Friday nights. The Hellers also helped 
Atwater develop good relations with Castle Air Force Base and they 
helped find housing for and entertained military personnel. Peggy was 
an active participant in the Girl Scouts of America, Parent Teachers 
Associations, International Reading Association, American Association 
of University Women, Retired Teachers, Atwater Women's Club, Merced 
County Historical Society and Bloss Historical Society.
  Peggy received many awards for her service to the community and her 
work as an educator. The National Education Association named Peggy 
``Outstanding Teacher at the Intermediate Level'' in central California 
in March of 1966 and presented her with the Golden Apple, of which she 
earned several. She received Atwater's ``Mother of the Year'' award and 
was named ``Woman of Distinction'' in 1991 by Soroptomist. In 1995, she 
was given the ultimate honor of dedicating a new school in her name, 
the Peggy Heller Elementary School in Atwater. Later that year she 
received recognition from the State legislature during Women's History 
Month for her work with Project Cherish in Atwater. In 1999, as a 
member of the California State Assembly, I named Peggy ``Woman of the 
Year'' for the 26th District.
  Peggy Heller was preceded in death by her grandson Brian Boru in 1983 
and her husband Jim in 1985. Today, she is survived by her son Jim and 
his wife Barbara, and her son Brian and his wife Dee. She also leaves 
behind her grandchildren Jim III and his wife Kathy, Randall and his 
wife Diana, Christopher and his wife Amy, Tamera and her husband Mark 
Johnson, and Kandace and her husband Ron Osborn. Also surviving are her 
12 great-grandchildren Spencer, James IV, Randall, Nicole, Joshua and 
Lindsay Heller, Sophia Heller, Samantha, Mason and Tyler Johnson, and 
Jared and Courtney Osborn. Lastly, Peggy is survived by her caregivers 
Jeffrey Lawton, Mary McMurry and Jackie Benner.
  Madam Speaker, it is my honor and privilege to join the community of 
Atwater in recognizing Marjorie ``Peggy'' Kathleen Heller. Our 
community benefits greatly from the example she set throughout her 
lifetime of service as an educator who dedicated her life to her 
community and her family.




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