[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 106 (Wednesday, July 9, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1123]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING MRS. MARY McHUGH

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. WILLIAM L. ENYART

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2014

  Mr. ENYART. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Mary 
McHugh for the forty-nine years she spent educating and improving the 
lives of children in Illinois. Mary's dedication and involvement in our 
community serves as an example towards which all of us can strive. She 
mentored countless student teachers towards excellence. She assured and 
convinced hundreds of underprivileged children to set their sights 
higher and pursue their dreams. It is my pleasure to celebrate her many 
years of service as an educator. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
honoring this outstanding educator.
  Mary has selflessly dedicated her life to her community. She began 
teaching in Goreville, IL in 1952, and over the years to follow she 
taught in Vienna, IL and Corpus Christi, TX. On August 14, 1957, Mary 
was approved as a teacher in Belleville Public Schools District #118, 
and from 1958 to 2001 she taught at Franklin Elementary School.
  During her forty-three years teaching at Franklin Elementary School 
in Belleville, Mary pioneered practices that broadened horizons for 
countless underprivileged children. She cofounded the practice of 
inviting recent college graduates back to Franklin Elementary School, 
clad in caps and gowns, to show elementary school students that they 
can dream big. She started the ongoing tradition of having teachers 
visit all Franklin Elementary families to welcome students for the new 
school year. The afterschool tutoring and ``Saturday School'' programs 
she cofounded provided students with the chance to achieve their 
potential. Her work establishing the District Spelling Bee, Young 
Authors Conference and District Science Fair helped teach students the 
joys of learning. She played an instrumental role in creating the 
Franklin Neighborhood Community Association, which transformed a high-
crime neighborhood into a safe and supportive place to live and go to 
school. The impact she had on the children whose lives she touched is 
immeasurable.
  Mary's record of service extends beyond her life as a teacher and her 
deep involvement in the Belleville community deserves commendation. She 
served as a Belleville Township Trustee and a Charter member and 
officer of the City of Belleville Human Relations Commission. She has 
been involved in the St. Clair County Historical Society, the Greater 
Belleville Chamber of Commerce, the Optimist Club and the Homeless 
Initiative Committee. She cofounded the Belleville Achieves Strength in 
Character (BASIC) initiative and the annual Storytelling Festival in 
Belleville. The many awards and honors that have been bestowed upon her 
over the years include the Belleville District 118 Bill Porzukowiak 
Character Award, the St. Louis Metropolitan Urban League Community 
Service Recipient of the Year, the Racial Harmony Community Service 
Award, the St. Clair County Lawyers Liberty Bell Award, and the 1983 
Illinois Master Teacher Award.
  Mr. Speaker, on this day, I am pleased to honor Mrs. Mary McHugh and 
the remarkable services she has given to our nation and the state of 
Illinois. I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring this wonderful 
woman who has repeatedly proven that ``we CAN do this!''

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