[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 65 (Monday, April 18, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





          IN RECOGNITION OF THE LIFE AND MEMORY OF RENEE SPAAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 18, 2022

  Mr. CLEAVER. Madam Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor 
the life of Ms. Renee Spaar and recognize her for the tremendous work 
achieved in the Odessa community. Renee loved her community and would 
stop at nothing to help the people within it. She truly was an amazing 
person to work with and a pioneer in education for the Odessa School 
District and school districts throughout Lafayette County, Missouri.
  Her career began after graduating from Southwest Missouri State 
University in 1982 at The Odessan, where she would go on to develop the 
Newspapers in Education program. Through this program Renee was able to 
link real-world experiences to the classroom, promote lifelong 
learning, and develop reading habits by advancing the use of a 
newspaper in the classroom to promote literacy for kids across the 
Odessa area. Additionally, she was one of the founding members of the 
Odessa Outreach, an organization created to help serve and fund local 
non-profits in the area who need assistance. Renee's life will be 
remembered for her passion for education and outstanding work for 
everyone in her city. She always found a way to overcome any 
difficulties she faced in her long, dedicated career to service, and in 
doing so remained positive no matter what.
  Renee was loved by many and in return loved all that she encountered. 
She was described by her peers as always having a bright smile on her 
face, a joke to tell, and uplifting for those who needed it. She was an 
enjoyable person to be around and would light up every room she walked 
into. We should all strive to be as happy, loving, and gracious as 
Renee was in her admirable 61 years of living. She will be deeply 
missed, but her long-lasting impact and legacy will live on for years 
to come. I would like to offer my condolences to all that knew Renee 
and her loving family and remember her for the outstanding work she did 
for the Odessa community. May her memory be a blessing.

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