[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 74 (Monday, May 7, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO MRS. MARY MATTESON-PARRISH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 7, 2007

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a dear 
friend and outstanding advocate for higher education, Mrs. Mary 
Matteson-Parrish. Mrs. Matteson-Parrish served on the North Harris 
Montgomery Community College District (NHMCCD) Board of Trustees from 
1993 to 2005. During her tenure she served as Board Chair, Vice Chair, 
Secretary and Audit Committee Chair.
  While on the Board of Trustees, Mary co-chaired the citizen's 
committee which worked tirelessly to conduct a successful petition 
drive and election campaign that permitted the Conroe Independent 
School District to join NHMCCD in 1991 thus creating higher education 
opportunities for thousands of Montgomery County students and workers. 
In addition, Mrs. Matteson-Parrish's commitment to improving access and 
enhancing the educational opportunities for citizens led to the growth 
of the North Harris Montgomery College District from 6 to 11 
independent school districts and the expansion of services and 
facilities from three campuses to five comprehensive colleges: North 
Harris College, Kingwood College, Tomball College, Montgomery College 
and Cy-Fair College.
  This week Montgomery College will name its art gallery the Mary 
Matteson-Parrish Art Gallery in testimony of the community's 
appreciation and respect for Mary's dedication to and leadership in 
providing high quality educational opportunities for the citizens of 
Montgomery County and the entire Eighth District of Texas.
  I join with these communities in honoring this outstanding leader and 
in applauding her work in expanding educational opportunities to all 
who seek to learn.

                          ____________________