[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1161]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING SUZANNE M. OVERDORF

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 22, 2010

  Mr. HIGGINS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. Suzanne 
``Sue'' Overdorf for her years of service as a devoted teacher, wife, 
mother and influential community member. Sue deserves the utmost 
admiration for her service as a dedicated mentor and role model to the 
youth of the community. As Sue's friend, I am honored to recognize her 
many achievements.
  Suzanne Mae Fox was born on April 11, 1943 in South Buffalo, New 
York. She began her education at St. Thomas Aquinas elementary school, 
later graduating from Mount Mercy Academy in 1960. Sue went on to study 
at Buffalo State College for two years before beginning her teaching 
career at St. Bonaventure Elementary School. Sue continued on the path 
toward teaching excellence when she pursued her degree in education at 
St. Rose College in Albany, graduating summa cum laude in 1979.
  Sue married her high school sweetheart Ted ``Ozzie'' Overdorf 46 
years ago. While living in Lansing, Michigan they began their family 
which continued to grow when they relocated to Albany. In 1979 Sue, Ted 
and their six children moved back to their hometown of Hamburg, New 
York where Sue taught and coordinated CCD at St. Peter and Paul Parish 
and Nativity Parish in Orchard Park. The Overdorf family grew with the 
addition of 2 more children and in 1993, now the mother of eight, Sue 
continued her teaching career at Mount Mercy Academy and Bishop Timon 
St. Jude High School. Sue demonstrated great love and dedication to her 
roots by teaching the young men and women in the neighborhood where she 
was raised. One year later, Sue became a religion instructor and senior 
class moderator at Bishop Timon St. Jude High School. Sue was a beloved 
and respected teacher who served as a role model and spiritual guide 
for her students. She retired on December 1, 2009, after 16 years of 
devotion.
  Sue continually went above and beyond the norm during her teaching 
career. She found time while raising a family of eight children to 
found the Peace Club and the Thanksgiving for Others and Christmas for 
Others programs at Bishop Timon St. Jude High School. There, she was 
also awarded the Franciscan award twice and was received into the 
Franciscan Order Holy Name Province as an affiliate.
  Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to recognize Sue Overdorf for 
her service as a devoted teacher, counselor, friend, wife and mother, 
excelling in all areas. Sue was a guide as a religious educator to her 
students, and also showed her values through her charitable and 
extracurricular activities. Her involvement in community life 
benefitted everyone around her. It is my honor to congratulate Sue 
Overdorf, a woman I am pleased to call my friend, for a career filled 
with such accomplishments.

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