[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 13, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E299-E300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RECOGNIZING APRYLE CRISWELL JACKSON

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                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 13, 2019

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I want to 
recognize Apryle Criswell Jackson, an educator for the School District 
of Osceola County, Florida. Apryle graduated Cum Laude from California 
University of Pennsylvania with a double major. She was one of a very 
few women in the 1970s to participate in the coaching certification 
program there.
  Apryle has taught for 39 years. She started in the Elizabeth Forward 
School District in Pennsylvania and has spent the last 36 years in 
Osceola County. She has always taught ``at risk students'' in grades 
kindergarten through Adult Ed.
  Apryle has always been an advocate for children. She has donated her 
time to various athletic programs in Osceola County. Apryle was one of 
the first coaches when Buenaventura Lakes started their Little League 
program. She has served on the board of directors for numerous 
organizations throughout Osceola County. She is a First-Class Girl 
Scout and recognized the need for a program in Osceola County. Apryle 
worked diligently to start the Friendship Service Unit for Girl Scouts. 
She is also an advocate for children with disabilities in the county. 
She encouraged the music director at Harmony High School to start a 
music program for special needs students this school year.
  Apryle has been active in the Osceola County Education Association 
for over 35 years. She has been president for the last eight years 
fighting for better working conditions of all educators in Osceola 
County. Under her leadership, OCEA has held numerous events for 
children. They recently distributed over l0,000 books to students. In 
2017, following the tragedy of Hurricane Maria, Apryle worked with 
local agencies to host an event where evacuee students, and their 
families from Puerto Rico, could get the assistance they needed and 
distributed books to all children in Spanish and English. Under her 
leadership OCEA has developed numerous programs to support children in 
our community.
  Apryle's dedication to serving those in our community is an 
inspiration to all. Apryle Criswell Jackson, for that we honor you.

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