[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 90 (Wednesday, June 16, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1124]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE SERVICE OF LT. COL. MELANIE McCLURE, PRINCIPAL OF 
                 ENTERPRISE ELEMENTARY IN DALE CITY, VA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 2010

  Mr. CONNOLLY of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the service 
of LTC Melanie McClure, principal of Enterprise Elementary School in 
Dale City, Va.
  Lieutenant Colonel McClure has served with distinction both in our 
local classrooms and our Nation's military. One year after graduating 
from James Madison University in 1984 with a Bachelor's Degree in Early 
Childhood Education, she joined the United States Army Reserves. In 
that same year, her first deployment took her to Germany as a platoon 
leader, operations officer and adjunct for the Battalion Commander. 
When she returned home, Lieutenant Colonel McClure began teaching in 
the Fairfax County Public Schools system. Her career as an educator was 
put on hold when she once again answered the call to serve on active 
duty after the devastating terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. 
Lieutenant Colonel McClure served in Alexandria, Va., as a plans and 
operations officer for the Mortuary and Casualty Support Division until 
July 2003. She then returned to Kent Gardens Elementary School in 
Fairfax County as an assistant principal and principal. She took on her 
current role as principal of Enterprise Elementary School with Prince 
William County Schools in 2007.
  Many of our Nation's reservists juggle leadership roles in both our 
military and our communities. Lieutenant Colonel McClure is no 
exception. Her most recent deployment required that she take a leave of 
absence from her position as the head administrator at Enterprise 
Elementary to serve on active duty in Iraq. Her students paid tribute 
to their principal with a send off in the spring of 2009 and on June 7, 
2010, they welcomed her home with the reverence and adoration she 
deserves. Lieutenant Colonel McClure has used this experience to teach 
her students responsibility and the importance of honoring commitments. 
These are qualities our veterans come to understand intimately as they 
sacrifice their safety for the protection of our nation.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the service 
of LTC Melanie McClure. Her service stands as an example to her 
students of the bravery of our military's men and women and will 
instill in future generations an appreciation for the needs of our 
Nation's veterans.

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