[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1550-E1551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATED SERVICE OF NORTHWEST FLORIDA'S DEBORAH 
                            ``DEE'' COPELAND

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2014

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am privileged to recognize Ms. 
Deborah ``Dee''

[[Page E1551]]

Copeland upon the occasion of her retirement. For 42 years, Ms. 
Copeland has dedicated her career to educating our Nation's youth and 
serving the Gulf Coast community.
   A graduate of Belhaven College in Jackson, Mississippi, Ms. Copeland 
began teaching at Mowat Junior High School in Panama City, Florida, in 
1972. Eight years later, she joined the faculty at King Middle School 
in Milton, Florida, where she has established herself as a leader 
amongst the great educators in Northwest Florida and where she teaches 
today, chairs the History/Civics Department, and is the Student 
Government Association Advisor.
   For over four decades, Ms. Copeland has inspired the minds of our 
Nation's youth, and her innovative techniques have brought unique 
learning opportunities and experiences to her students. Whether 
organizing an annual visit to Tallahassee, the state capital, to engage 
her students in the legislative process, sponsoring an annual Veteran's 
Day program to honor area veterans and first responders and educate her 
students on the contributions and sacrifice of our men and women in 
uniform, or building pyramids and volcanoes, Ms. Copeland's passion for 
teaching is demonstrated through each of her tireless efforts in making 
learning enjoyable and bringing it to life.
   Her dedication and service, however, is not confined to her 
classroom at King Middle School. Ms. Copeland teaches hospital 
homebound students in the evenings as well as Sunday School at her 
local church. She has also organized and sponsored countless events, 
including the Ronald McDonald House Easter Basket to benefit Sacred 
Heart Children's Hospital in Pensacola, Florida; a Thanksgiving food 
basket drive to provide for the needy; a blanket giveaway for our 
area's homeless and to support low-income families; and Meet-the-
Candidate breakfasts during election years to afford an additional 
opportunity to her students and the local community to participate in 
the democratic process.
   Her involvement in the classroom and throughout the community has 
not gone unnoticed. As a result of her commitment to excellence and 
service, Ms. Copeland has received myriad awards, including the Alpha 
Delta Kappa Educator of the Year in 2012, the Governor's Award in 
Education, the International Award ISTE Ana Mackay-Gutierrez Award for 
Community Giving, the Santa Rosa County Volunteer of the Year in 2006, 
the Veteran's State Teacher of the Year in 2007, and the King Middle 
School ``Teacher of the Year'' award three times throughout her tenure.
   Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Ms. Deborah ``Dee'' Copeland 
for her lifetime of achievements and dedication to the Northwest 
Florida community. My wife Vicki joins me in wishing Ms. Copeland all 
the best for continued success in her well-earned retirement and 
thanking her for her service.

                          ____________________