[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 135 (Thursday, July 30, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E703]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF JOAN DOWD ON HER RETIREMENT AFTER 42 YEARS OF SERVICE 
                         TO CATHOLIC EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 30, 2020

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Joan Dowd 
who is retiring from teaching after 42 years of service to Catholic 
education. Joan was honored with a surprise parade at Holy Rosary 
School on June 6, 2020.
  The daughter of Joseph and Ann Baker, Joan was born on August 22, 
1952 in Pittston, Pennsylvania. Committed to her faith from a young 
age, she grew up attending St. Mary's Assumption Church along with her 
two sisters, Barbara and Joyce, and she was the third generation in her 
family to attend St. Mary's Assumption elementary school. Joan went on 
to study at St. John's High School and at Marywood University.
  After graduating from college in 1976 with a degree in health and 
physical education and a certificate in elementary and special 
education, Joan was hired as the assistant girls' basketball coach at 
St. John the Evangelist School. She then went on to coach the girls' 
basketball team at St. Mary's Assumption, leading her team to a league 
championship.
  Joan began her teaching career as a substitute at St. Anthony's 
School in Dunmore. In 1978, she returned to her alma mater, St. Mary's 
Assumption, where she taught second grade for the next 33 years. In 
addition to teaching her students the traditional school subjects, she 
helped them grow in their faith and guide them through receiving the 
sacraments of Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joan devoted her time to 
the school community by volunteering for committees and extra-
curricular activities, including the school's forensics team.
  When St. Mary's Assumption closed its doors in 2011, Joan was 
undeterred and remained committed to Catholic education. She accepted a 
new post as the second-grade teacher at Holy Rosary School in Duryea, 
Pennsylvania. During her tenure as an educator, she taught generations 
of students and fostered lifelong relationships with her students, 
their parents, and her colleagues.
  Joan lives in Pittston with her husband, Michael and dog, Charley. 
They have two sons, Kevin and Brian and one grandchild, Rory.
  It is an honor to congratulate Joan on her retirement after 42 years 
of teaching in the Diocese of Scranton's Catholic school system. As an 
educator, her commitment to her students and school community was 
unmatched, and under her tutelage, her students received a first-rate 
education while learning many important life lessons. I wish her a 
restful and enjoyable retirement.

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