[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 95 (Friday, June 8, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E815-E816]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF PAT MONTGOMERY FOR HER IMPACT ON MICHIGAN'S 
                         EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DEBBIE DINGELL

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 8, 2018

  Mrs. DINGELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Pat Montgomery 
for years of devoted and distinguished leadership as she is recognized 
by ATHENA International. Her service to her students has given them the 
confidence to go out into the community and make a difference.
  ATHENA International was founded in 1982 by Lansing businesswoman 
Martha Mertz to honor the contributions of those who help woman to 
succeed. Ms. Mertz has long held the belief that it takes a village to 
help women in our communities thrive and has seen her small nonprofit 
grow exponentially over the years. Today, ATHENA International is a 
global organization that mentors and trains women in more than 500 
cities and 8 countries around the world. The ATHENA Leaders of Huron 
Valley help develop and support women through various programming 
initiatives including entrepreneurial classes and one-on-one mentoring. 
The great work of Michigan's female leaders is honored at the ATHENA 
Awards each year. This year's winners include Pat Montgomery, an 
educator who sees endless potential in each one of her students.
  Inspired to promote education in an unstructured setting, in 1967, 
Ms. Montgomery founded Clonlara School in Ann Arbor in an effort to 
further her vision of a school that allowed students the freedom to 
explore their interests in an intellectually stimulating learning 
environment. Initially consisting of only 8 students, Clonlara's 
education offerings have grown and expanded over the decades, and the 
school today runs a homeschooling program that serves students through 
international offices in Europe and Central America, as well as with 
online offerings. Ms. Montgomery was the driving force behind the 
conception and development of Clonlara, serving as a teacher, executive 
director and in other roles and has been fundamental to the school's 
longevity. Her efforts have created a lasting impact on the Michigan 
educational community and have bettered countless lives.

[[Page E816]]

  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Pat 
Montgomery for her years of service. She has set a high bar for 
educators in Michigan and across the country.

                          ____________________