[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 77 (Wednesday, May 21, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF 52 YEARS OF SERVICE TO INDIANAPOLIS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. ANDREE CARSON

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2014

  Mr. CARSON of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mrs. 
Patricia Ann Payne, who recently retired after 52 dedicated years of 
teaching and mentoring in the Indianapolis Public Schools system.
  Mrs. Payne, a proud graduate of Indianapolis Public Schools and 
Indiana University in Bloomington, began her five-decade career in 
education and public service as an elementary school teacher. In the 
first 25 years of her career, she brought her inspirational teaching 
style to young students at three different schools.
  Mrs. Payne has long been a devoted advocate for teaching African 
American history in our schools. In 1987, she was assigned the special 
responsibility of designing and directing the IPS Office of African 
Centered/Multicultural Education. In 1998, she became Director of the 
Crispus Attucks Museum of African/African American History on the 
campus of Crispus Attucks Medical Magnet High School. She continued 
this important work until her retirement, and it will be a key part of 
her lasting legacy in Indianapolis.
  Mrs. Payne's exemplary career is reflected in the many awards and 
accolades she has received. Chief among her many well deserved honors 
was being named 1984 IPS Teacher of the Year and a finalist for Indiana 
Teacher of the Year the following year. In 2010, she received the 
Living Legend Award from Community Action of Greater Indianapolis. In 
2012, she was the recipient of the Congresswoman Julia Carson Community 
Service Award. Most recently, in 2013, she received the Distinguished 
Alumni Award from Indiana University.
  Throughout her career, Mrs. Payne opened the hearts and minds of our 
children, encouraging them to have a positive effect in their community 
and the world. Mrs. Payne embodies all that Hoosiers stand for--a 
strong work ethic, a commitment to public service and a desire to 
better the community. Today, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring 
Mrs. Payne for her years of service to Indianapolis Public Schools, the 
City of Indianapolis and all Hoosiers.

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