[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 64 (Wednesday, April 14, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E390]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN CELEBRATION OF PATRICIA ``PATTIE'' MANSUR'S SERVICE TO KANSAS CITY 
                             PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 14, 2021

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today with immense appreciation 
for Patricia ``Pattie'' Mansur's years of service to the students and 
community of Kansas City, Missouri as a member of the Kansas City 
Public School Board. Over the last several years, Pattie has 
demonstrated the passion, integrity, and determination that we hope the 
students whom she served will emulate as they become leaders in their 
own right.
  Pattie's time on the School Board is a testament to what can be 
accomplished when concerned citizens engage with their community to 
overcome difficult issues. When Pattie enrolled her children into 
Kansas City Public Schools (KCPS), she recognized that its teachers and 
students were burdened as a consequence of dwindling revenues, 
inequitable opportunities, and transient leadership. Instead of simply 
lamenting those problems, Pattie set about building coalitions, 
engaging the community, and eventually, winning an at-large seat on the 
School Board. During her time in office, Pattie worked hard to build a 
strong foundation that future School Boards will expand upon for years 
to come. She helped recruit Dr. Mark Bedell, an administrator dedicated 
to equality in education, to serve as the superintendent. Dr. Bedell, 
along with Pattie and other Board members, secured the stability and 
leadership necessary for the district to implement a one-of-a-kind 
equity policy that has provided additional resources to chronically 
underfunded schools. Pattie also worked to increase the number of AP 
and dual-credit courses offered across KCPS high schools, ensuring that 
all students had the ability to earn college credit while attending 
high school. She engaged with private businesses to build and renovate 
existing fields, stadiums, and other venues so that every student has 
the opportunity to participate in sports and other extra-curricular 
activities. Recognizing that we communicate our values by how we spend 
our dollars, Pattie fought for increased teacher pay and further 
investment in new technologies that have helped educators connect with 
the next generation of students. As the district celebrated noticeable 
improvements in graduation rates and college readiness, she was a 
champion in the fight for full accreditation from the Missouri 
Department of Early and Secondary Education. Inspired by their mother's 
advocacy and her dedication to serving Kansas City's students, one of 
Pattie's three beloved children is now a teacher in the KCPS system. 
These accomplishments not only had a positive impact on children 
currently enrolled in KCPS, but will also continue to generate 
equitable opportunities for the next generations of KCPS students.
  In addition to her stellar efforts on the School Board, Pattie has 
further served the Kansas City community through a number of non-profit 
organizations. She continues to serve as the Director of Health Policy 
and Communications for the REACH Healthcare Foundation, which works to 
improve access to healthcare for uninsured and underserved communities. 
As Director, she's advocated for policies in both Jefferson City and 
Washington, D.C. that would address systemic and deeply rooted 
inequities in the healthcare system. Recently, her tireless work at 
REACH helped the organization mobilize 29 local healthcare providers in 
an effort to strengthen the community's fight against the coronavirus 
pandemic. The REACH Foundation, and by extension those the foundation 
serves, has benefitted immensely from Pattie's three decades of proven 
leadership in the non-profit sector.
  Marian Wright Edelman, a renowned advocate for children and founder 
of the Children's Defense Fund, once elegantly noted that working in 
education comes with a momentous duty to improve the lives of others 
and leave your community better than you found it. As Pattie's time on 
the School Board concludes, she can rest assured that KCPS students 
have more opportunities, are succeeding at higher rates, and have 
brighter futures because of her efforts. Madam Speaker, please join me 
in extending heartfelt and sincere congratulations to Pattie Mansur on 
a successful and accomplished tenure on the Kansas City Public School 
Board. Furthermore, let us renew our commitment to students as we 
strengthen our nation by investing in equitable, inclusive, and 
innovative public schools.

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