[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 38 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E352]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. BARBARA DAVIS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ANN MARIE BUERKLE

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 8, 2012

  Ms. BUERKLE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Barbara Davis 
for 25 years of service to the Hebrew Day School in Syracuse, New York.
  Dr. Davis earned her Bachelor's Degree from Barnard College and 
received an M.A. and Ph.D. from Columbia University. She began her 
relationship with the Syracuse Hebrew Day School in the mid-1980's. She 
was a parent volunteer and served as chair of the Education Committee. 
Her service escalated in 1986 when she agreed to serve as co-principal 
of the school along with Dr. John Blasi, a position she would hold for 
the next 25 years.
  For two and a half decades, Dr. Davis was the leader of the Syracuse 
Hebrew Day School. During her tenure there she was instrumental in the 
school's growth; a new wing was constructed, student enrollment hit 
record high numbers, and the endowment fund grew to nearly $500,000.
  In addition to her work at the Syracuse Hebrew Day School, Dr. Davis 
serves as a Professor Emerita of Modern Languages at Onondaga Community 
College. She was also a member of the first Lookstein Center 
Principals' Seminar at Bar Ilan University, a selective intensive 
program combining seminars in Israel and America.
  Dr. Davis' dedication to her community is not only seen in her role 
at the Syracuse Hebrew Day School, but also in her countless hours of 
volunteerism and participation in numerous organizations. She serves on 
the board of RAVSAK, the Jewish Community Day School Network, she is 
executive editor of the quarterly journal of Jewish education, Ha 
Yidion, and has co-authored a forthcoming history of the Syracuse 
Jewish Community.
  Dr. Davis has played a significant role in the lives of so many 
people, especially youths, with her dedicated service to our community. 
Her passion and leadership have made the Syracuse Hebrew Day School and 
the area it serves a better place. I thank Dr. Davis for her service 
and am proud to honor her here today.

                          ____________________