[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 16 (Wednesday, January 27, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S250-S251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO ANN MARION FURUKAWA DONDERO

 Mr. MERKLEY. Mr. President, just about every successful person 
can point to a teacher or other adult who inspired and encouraged them 
as a child, a person who spurred curiosity and love of learning. Today 
I wish to recognize the hard work and dedication of one of my 
constituents who played that role for countless Oregonians Ann Marion 
Furukawa Dondero from Forest Grove.
  Ann was raised in Sunnyside, WA, and graduated from Whitman College 
in 1966 with a psychology degree and a

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teacher's certificate. She taught first grade for 3 years in St. Paul, 
MN, while her husband, Russ, completed graduate school and later taught 
second and fourth grade in Boiling Springs, PA, when Russ started his 
political science teaching career.
  When Ann and Russ moved their young family to Forest Grove, Ann 
continued her education and enrolled in night classes at Pacific 
University where Russ had started teaching. In addition to raising 
their two sons, Tony and Jason, Ann also began volunteering in Forest 
Grove's library across the street from her classes.
  Eventually, Ann's enthusiasm to share her love of reading turned into 
a career spanning five decades. The library became Ann's classroom 
where she worked with parents and caregivers to help children become 
active readers.
  In 1975, Ann and her former colleague Barbara Dunnette organized BEAR 
month--Be Enthusiastic About Reading--at the Forest Grove Library, and 
the tradition has continued ever since. January 2016 will be the 37th 
annual BEAR month at Forest Grove.
  Ann's dedication and love of learning is an inspiration to our State 
and our Nation, and I have no doubt there are kids today who are better 
off because of Ann's selfless devotion. I thank Ann for her many years 
of hard work and for the great things she has done to promote reading 
and literacy in the Forest Grove community.

                          ____________________