[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 21 (Friday, February 8, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO DR. KATHERINE MITCHELL

 Mr. SESSIONS. Madam President, I come today to honor one of 
the great educational leaders of our time: Dr. Katherine Mitchell of 
Alabama. Dr. Mitchell is nationally acclaimed for her work in 
developing the Alabama Reading Initiative, ARI. This scientifically 
based program has not only been of tremendous benefit to students and 
teachers in Alabama but also in many other States that have modeled 
their State reading initiatives after ours. I firmly believe that Dr. 
Mitchell's work will prove to be seen as resulting in the most dramatic 
improvements in student learning in the last 50 years. Recently, the 
National Association of Educational Progress, NAEP, test scores were 
released, showing Alabama to be No. 1 in reading improvement for the 
fourth grade. Between 2005 and 2007, Alabama's fourth graders made a 
significant gain of eight points in fourth grade reading. That is the 
highest gain in the Nation. I must also point out that a number of the 
States that are right behind Alabama in reading gains are States such 
as Massachusetts and Florida that have both modeled State reading 
initiatives after the Alabama Reading Initiative.
  I have spoken with Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings many 
times about Dr. Mitchell's work and the great things happening in 
Alabama, and she is ecstatic about the innovative ways Dr. Mitchell and 
her fabulous team have changed education in Alabama and across the 
country. I am always impressed with Dr. Mitchell's enthusiasm for her 
work, and her strong desire to motivate and inspire educators wherever 
she goes. She is a rare and admirable person, and I applaud the many 
ways she has touched the lives of children and families around the 
world throughout her life.
  It is important to say, and not inappropriate, that Dr. Mitchell is a 
woman of sincere and strong religious faith and that she has felt that 
her service is a calling by God. Such a conviction, it is plain to see, 
has given power to her insight for improving education. An active 
member of Frazer Memorial United Methodist Church, pastored by the 
wonderful John Ed Mathison, she is involved in so many good activities, 
while receiving inspiration that drives her work. I am sorry to say 
that Dr. Mitchell is retiring from her position at the Alabama State 
Department of Education, and I know that this will be a great loss for 
the State. However, I know Dr. Mitchell too well to ever think that she 
will be less busy in retirement--she has far too much energy and too 
much to offer. I look forward to hearing about Dr. Mitchell's ongoing 
contributions to our Nation with her expertise in education, and I am 
so thankful that Alabama's students, and America's students, will 
benefit for years to come from her investment in a program that teaches 
children how to read.
  Thank you, Dr. Mitchell, for your service. Your shoes cannot be 
filled, I am sure of it, but I am also sure that the team you have so 
carefully trained will continue to carry on your vision with the same 
commitment and passion that you have so admirably displayed.

                          ____________________