[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 79 (Friday, June 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1048-E1049]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO MRS. FRANCIE MOORE HANSELL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2011

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the career of Mrs. 
Francie Moore Hansell. Children across the country are excitedly 
looking forward to their last day of school and summer vacations filled 
with friends and family. While they are focused on their vacation 
plans, they are also looking ahead to the next school year and 
wondering who their teacher will be. At Rocky Heights Elementary School 
in Hermiston, Oregon, students and parents alike will be disappointed 
when they learn that Francie will not be among next year's teachers 
because, after 26 years at Rocky Heights, she is retiring at the 
conclusion of this school year. Over her long career at Rocky Heights, 
Francie has launched more than 650 second-graders onto their next level 
of instruction.

[[Page E1049]]

Francie's service and commitment to her students, her school, and her 
community are to be commended.
  Born in Prosser, Washington, Francie moved to Hermiston after her 
1970 marriage to her Washington State University college sweetheart, 
Tyler Hansell. Together, Francie and Ty became integral members of the 
Hermiston community. Francie began her teaching career at Umatilla 
Middle School shortly after their wedding. After five years, she took a 
break following the arrival of their first child, Erin. Subsequently, 
Francie and Ty added four boys to their expanding family: Tyler Jr., 
Kenzie, Lucas, and Ruben. Raising her exuberant family and helping to 
run the family ranch took most of Francie's time and attention, but 
throughout she continued teaching Sunday school to the children of 
Hermiston Presbyterian Church. She also participated as an active 
member of the church choir and several other community volunteer 
organizations.
  In 1985, Francie returned to teaching by joining the staff at Rocky 
Heights Elementary School as a second grade teacher. In 2010, Francie 
was awarded the coveted Crystal Apple award in recognition of her 
contributions as a devoted, accessible, and encouraging teacher for her 
many students.
  Students always remember the special teacher who inspired them to 
believe in themselves and appreciate the unlimited power of learning--
for many alumni of Rocky Heights Elementary, Francie Hansell was that 
teacher.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Hermiston community that I have the 
honor to represent, I want to commend and thank Francie for her many 
years of service and dedication to her students and community. While. 
Francie is retiring from teaching and as the grandmother of six (so 
far), I know that she will continue to dedicate herself to her family, 
friends, and her beloved community of Hermiston.

                          ____________________