[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 85 (Tuesday, June 14, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF DR. NANCY GRASMICK, SUPERINTENDENT OF 
                        MARYLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN P. SARBANES

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2011

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Nancy 
Grasmick for her years of outstanding service to the people of 
Maryland, including her twenty year leadership role as Superintendent 
of Maryland public schools, the longest serving appointed school chief 
in the United States. Dr. Grasmick began her career as a teacher of 
deaf children at William S. Baer School in Baltimore City. In her years 
as an educator in Maryland public schools, Dr. Grasmick has served as a 
resource teacher, principal, supervisor, assistant superintendent, and 
associate superintendent in Baltimore County. In 1989, Dr. Grasmick was 
appointed by Governor William Donald Schaefer to act as the Special 
Secretary for Children, Youth, and Families and in 1991, the Maryland 
State Board of Education appointed her to be the first female Maryland 
State Superintendent of Schools. All of these achievements are the 
culmination of many years of hard work, strong dedication, and 
commitment to the people of Maryland. This commitment has been 
recognized many times over through many awards, including her induction 
into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame in 2004.
  Dr. Nancy Grasmick has been known for her emphasis on student 
achievement, teacher quality, parental involvement, and early childhood 
education. Under her leadership, Maryland has been recognized for its 
achievements in education, having been named as ``the most consistently 
high performing state'' by Education Week. Dr. Grasmick has made an 
enormous impact on Maryland public schools and has changed the lives of 
countless families in the State of Maryland and beyond.
  I was my special privilege to work with Dr. Grasmick for seven years 
as liaison to the Baltimore City Public Schools. I saw firsthand the 
amazing work of a leader motivated by compassion and a burning 
determination to give every child the chance to succeed. Dr. Grasmick's 
commitment to excellence is unrivaled. She is relentless in demanding 
the very best of those around her, while always offering the kind word 
and gesture. In that way and so many others, she is a natural born 
leader. I could not have had a better mentor or friend. My 
congratulations to Dr. Grasmick on a brilliant career. We look forward 
to her continued contributions to the State of Maryland and to our 
nation.

                          ____________________