[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 17 (Thursday, February 4, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E151]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IN HONOR OF THE LIFE'S WORK OF SARAH D. ``SALLY'' STEWART

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                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 4, 2010

  Ms. SPEIER. Madam Speaker, it is with an abundance of appreciation 
and admiration that I pay tribute to the life's work of Dr. Sarah D. 
``Sally'' Stewart, who recently retired--after 26 years--from the 
Sequoia Union High School District Board of Trustees. She leaves the 
district having served longer than any other trustee in the district's 
history and, prior to her service there, served eight years on the 
Board of the Portola Valley School District.
  During her impressive tenure, Sally became known as a thoughtful and 
energetic board member who always saw the big picture. Educational 
opportunities, principles and challenges have evolved quite a bit over 
the past three-plus decades and Sally always kept one step ahead, 
urging her colleagues to embrace new ideas and ever striving to serve 
the myriad needs of students, parents, educators and the community.
  Sally distinguished herself through her passionate contributions to 
the underserved youth of East Palo Alto. She provided leadership and 
guidance to the Youth Court and was instrumental in the founding of two 
nonprofit organizations, including what eventually became EdSource, a 
foundation dedicated to providing access to quality education for all 
children and encouraging an informed and involved citizenry to 
strengthen California's schools.
  Dr. Stewart's commitment to education transcended the boundaries of 
her own community. She served on the San Mateo County School Boards 
Association, where she instituted the J. Russell Kent Awards to 
recognize the work of area teachers. She served as President of the 
California School Boards Association and the California Commission on 
Teacher Credentialing and has given her time, energy and intellect to 
numerous charities, causes and campaigns that benefit children and 
education at all levels.
  Next month, Sally will be duly honored with her induction into the 
San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.
  Sally was born in Albany, New York in 1932 and received her Bachelor 
of Arts from New York's Smith College. She also received a Ph.D. in 
Medical Microbiology from Stanford University.
  Madam Speaker, Sally Stewart is one of those rare public servants 
whose quiet and competent leadership gives others something to aspire 
to. For decades I have stood in awe of her capacity to understand the 
intricacies of school finance and the subtleties of achieving district-
wide academic excellence. While I regret to see her go, she has 
certainly earned her retirement. No doubt she will spend her newly-
found free time doing more reading, walking her beloved dog and 
continually pushing for reforms that improve California's educational 
system.
  Our nation owes Sally Stewart a debt of gratitude. I would also like 
to extend my thanks to her sons--Ed and Willie--and her two 
grandchildren--Teddy and Sam--for sharing this remarkable woman with 
the greater community for so many years.
  Imagine how much better our nation's schools would be if every 
community had a Sally Stewart. But since there is only one, I am 
selfishly grateful that she chose the San Francisco Peninsula to call 
home.

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