[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 97 (Thursday, June 12, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1225]]
    HONORING LINDA DARNELL THORPE ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2008

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to join the many family, friends, and colleagues in paying 
tribute to my dear friend, Linda Darnell Thorpe, as she celebrates her 
retirement after 36 years of dedicated service as an educator with the 
New Haven Public School System. She has been a teacher that is not only 
loved by her students, but respected by her colleagues--a reflection of 
all that we hope and expect our educators to be.
  A native of New Haven, Linda was educated locally earning a B.S. in 
education from Southern Connecticut State University as well as an M.S. 
from the University of Connecticut. She began her career at the Martin 
Luther King, Jr. School where she taught second grade. She spent 24 
years at MLK, teaching two generations of students--literally having 
the opportunity to teach some of the children of the young people she 
first taught at the beginning of her career. She has spent the last 12 
years at the Edgewood Magnet School where she has taken on the 
challenge of educating a more diverse group of fifth and sixth grade 
students.
  I have often spoke of our nation's need for talented, creative 
educators ready to help our children learn and grow. Throughout her 
career, Linda has been just that kind of teacher. She is well-known 
among her colleagues as always being the first to arrive in the morning 
and one of the last to leave in the evening. Linda would arrive 6 
o'clock in the morning and, on more than one occasion, would have to 
return home when it was announced that school would be closed on a snow 
day.
  Linda's deep commitment to education is best reflected in the success 
of her students. Her enthusiasm and energy combined with her belief 
that children learn best when they are active in the learning process 
created an environment where children not only wanted to learn, they 
had fun doing so. The myriad of accolades, awards, and commendations 
that she has received throughout the years are testimony to the 
positive impact she has had on her students. Her students were excited 
to be in her classroom and inspired to succeed. That was her gift to 
them. For an educator, there is no greater legacy one could leave.
  In a career that has spanned four decades, Linda has touched the 
lives of thousands of young people. She has helped to shape their 
education and their character--preparing them with the tools and skills 
they need and building a foundation on which they will enjoy future 
success. She has also served as an inspiration to her colleagues. 
Today, as she celebrates her retirement and reflects on her career, I 
am proud to join her longtime companion, Stanley Welch, her grandson 
Vinston, and all of those gathered today in extending my sincere thanks 
and appreciation for her outstanding and invaluable contributions. 
Linda Darnell Thorpe is an extraordinary woman, teacher, and friend and 
we are all better for having the opportunity to know her.

                          ____________________