[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 177 (Thursday, November 15, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF MARY ORR'S COMMITMENT TO THE STUDENTS, TEACHERS, AND 
              PARENTS AT ABRAHAM LINCOLN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 15, 2007

  Mr. GARRETT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend Mary Orr, 
Principal at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School in Wyckoff, New Jersey, 
for her extraordinary commitment to high standards of education 
excellence.
  Mary Orr has taken learning to a new level, integrating fresh 
technology, new education tools, and incredible enthusiasm into the 
approach at Abraham Lincoln. She mixes theory-driven number-crunching 
with a very personal touch at her school, encouraging teachers to find 
new and creative ways to help their students ``learn to be learners.'' 
Mary Orr has developed her own method for using spreadsheets to chart 
test scores and provide teachers with easy-to-follow graphs on their 
classroom achievements. She also encourages her teachers to use 
technology to give students new ways to access information and develop 
a real love of learning.
  An educator in Wyckoff since 1969, Mary Orr is being honored now as 
New Jersey's Distinguished Principal by the U.S. Department of 
Education and National Association of Elementary School Principals. She 
has long been eligible to retire, but she continues to give her all to 
the students, teachers, and parents of Abraham Lincoln Elementary 
School.
  In fact, she continues to pursue enhancement of her own already-
impressive professional credentials. She has already earned a master's 
degree in language arts and a doctorate in education administration, 
yet Mary Orr is pursuing a second master's in educational technology. 
And, all the while, she also remains an active part of the community, 
spending time with the local Rotary Club and earning the 2004 Wyckoff 
Family YMCA's First Annual William E. Boye Jr. Humanitarian Award.
  From her enthusiastic spirit to her detail-driven approach, Mary Orr 
has made Abraham Lincoln Elementary School a model for all to emulate. 
I commend her on her good work there.

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