[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 138 (Tuesday, September 29, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING DIANE LYNCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. WALTER B. JONES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 29, 2009

  Mr. JONES. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Diane Lynch, 
a great North Carolinian and a great educator, upon the occasion of her 
August 31st retirement from the Public School System in my State.
  All of us in Congress know, or should know, that educating our youth 
is key to insuring a prosperous future. Diane Lynch, of the Moss Hill 
Community of Kinston, North Carolina, dedicated her entire working 
life--some thirty-six years--to the ideal of imparting the very best 
education possible to young people.
  For Diane, educating young people was an imperative that she 
fulfilled tirelessly every day, even when doing so was sometimes 
thankless and unappreciated. Diane Lynch is an example to all of us of 
the power of personal commitment. Her professionalism, dedication, 
perseverance and love served very well, not only her students and co-
workers, but also the hundreds of families whose lives she touched and 
improved.
  Starting as a teacher in 1973, and then rising to Assistant 
Principal, then Principal and finally to Associate Superintendent, 
Diane's career spanned thirty-six years. Her energy and love of 
education will be sorely missed.
  Congratulations to Diane Lynch for her long and valuable service.
  Madam Speaker I ask that an article about Diane Lynch's retirement, 
which appeared in the August 18, 2009 edition of the Kinston Daily Free 
Press be submitted in its entirety.

                  [From the Kinston Daily Free Press]

                             Saying goodbye

                          (By Chris Lavender)

       Diane Lynch, long-time teacher and principal and current 
     associate superintendent of Lenoir County Schools, will soon 
     say goodbye to a career she has developed for the past 36 
     years.
       Lynch will retire from the school district Aug. 31, after 
     making a decision this summer to walk away. Lenoir County 
     Schools Superintendent Terry Cline announced Tuesday that 
     Lynch had decided to retire.
       The announcement was made during a Lenoir County Schools 
     opening ceremony for staff held at Kinston High School. A 
     majority of those in attendance weren't aware Lynch was 
     stepping down, Cline said.
       Cline said the school board members were notified last 
     Thursday of Lynch's retirement plan. On Monday, the school 
     district's senior central staff and principals were notified. 
     Lynch said there was no specific reason she decided to retire 
     this month.
       ``It's just the right time,'' she said.
       Lynch said she plans to stay active in the school district 
     until her final day. Lenoir County schools open for students 
     Tuesday. She said she plans to visit several schools during 
     opening week.
       Cline said he was reluctant to accept Lynch's retirement 
     because of her value to the school district.
       ``I am happy for her but it's a sad day for Lenoir County 
     Schools,'' Cline said. ``I can't replace her because she is a 
     very special lady.''
       Cline said he hasn't decided yet if the school district 
     will hire an interim or full-time associate superintendent. A 
     decision will come in the next few months. Cline said.
       Lynch began her career during 1973 with Wayne County 
     Schools, where she taught elementary school. After several 
     years there, she continued her career at Moss Hill Elementary 
     School in Lenoir County. She taught at Moss Hill for nine 
     years.
       Lynch later became assistant principal at La Grange 
     Elementary School and then principal at Northwest Elementary 
     School for 13 years. For the past three years, Lynch has 
     served as associate superintendent.
       During her career, Lynch said she strived to help students 
     excel and reach their goals. The personal connections she 
     made with her students will last forever, she said.
       ``I am always satisfied when I see my former students in 
     the community and we talk about good times,'' Lynch said. ``I 
     was always fair and consistent and worked to earn the respect 
     of my co-workers.''
       Lynch said she doesn't know what she will do during her 
     retirement. She said she is looking forward to a break from 
     the daily grind.
       ``I'm going to rest for a few months,'' Lynch said.
       During their five years together, Cline said he developed a 
     strong working relationship with Lynch.
       ``We cried and laughed together,'' Cline said. ``There were 
     things that I told her that I didn't tell my wife because I 
     didn't want to get my wife involved in the politics. 
     Superintendents have very lonely positions.''
       Lynch acknowledged she had a great working relationship 
     with Cline. She thanked him for working to make Lenoir County 
     Schools a better place for students.

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