[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1260]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN APPRECIATION FOR THE EXCEPTIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE OF MARILYN MILLER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, the end of every school year is a time of 
change as graduates move on and students move up. In California's 
Twelfth Congressional District, this school year ends by bidding 
farewell to an unparalleled education professional, Marilyn Miller, 
Superintendent of the Hillsborough City School District.
  Ms. Miller came to our community in 1975, with ten years of teaching 
under her belt in Southern California and Illinois. Her experience, 
passion for teaching and devotion to her students were immediately 
recognized and within five years, Marilyn was promoted to Principal of 
South Hillsborough School. In 1984, she was given even greater 
responsibility when she moved to William H. Crocker Middle School, 
where she stayed until ascending to the Superintendent's position 17 
years ago.
  Under Superintendent Miller's extraordinary leadership, Hillsborough 
schools have been singled out for local, statewide, national and even 
international awards. Nine times in her tenure, Hillsborough schools 
have been named a California Distinguished School, while on ten 
occasions the district has been awarded a J. Russell Kent Award for 
outstanding programs in San Mateo County public schools. Under 
Marilyn's stewardship, Hillsborough schools have also received four 
National Blue Ribbon Awards and in 1993, received the ``Best in 
Services Recognition'' from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
  As both a principal and superintendent, Marilyn's tireless dedication 
has led to numerous public and private grants for her school system, 
including funding for science, technology, reading and reforming 
curriculum.
  Madam Speaker, I know from personal experience that everything 
Marilyn has done in her educational career has been to further the 
excellence and opportunities of the children in her care. Nevertheless, 
she has been singled out for numerous personal recognitions, including 
being a finalist for the National Safety Council's Principal of the 
Year; elected President of the Association of California School 
Administrators; State Coordinator of the California Partnership Network 
Schools; Chairperson of the ACSA Middle School State Conference; and 
awarded College of Notre Dame, Belmont's Alumnus of the Year; Hinsdale, 
Illinois' Teacher of the Year; and San Mateo County's Outstanding 
Educator.
  Marilyn has represented our community and our nation at international 
conferences, including presenting to the Stockholm School of Economics 
and serving as the United States representative to the New Leaders 
Conference in Singapore. In addition, she regularly attended the 
nationally-acclaimed Harvard University Superintendents' Forum.
  Marilyn Miller studied History and English at the University of 
California, Berkeley before transferring to San Jose State University 
for her Education Degree. She went on to receive a Masters in Public 
Administration at Belmont's College of Notre Dame.
  Madam Speaker, Marilyn has earned her retirement, even if the hole 
she leaves will be impossible to fill. She recently welcomed a new 
grandson, Cole, who with granddaughter, Erin, will happily occupy 
whatever free time Marilyn finds herself with. She and her always 
supportive husband, Dr. Arthur Miller, will now be able to spend more 
time with the little ones as well as their daughter Ashleigh and sons 
Garreth and Heath. As with all great public servants, their service is 
largely dependent on the amount of support they receive at home, so it 
is fitting to thank Marilyn's loving family for sharing their wife and 
mother with the greater community for all these years.

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