[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 104 (Friday, June 17, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E640]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING NATIONAL CENTER FOR FAMILIES LEARNING PRESIDENT SHARON DARLING 
                           ON HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN A. YARMUTH

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 17, 2022

  Mr. YARMUTH. Madam Speaker, l rise today to honor Sharon Darling, 
President and Founder of the National Center for Families Learning and 
former Kentucky Director of Adult and Community Education, as she 
begins her well-earned and much-deserved retirement after years of 
dedication to the advancement of education policy and family literacy.
  For decades, Sharon has served as a national leader in family 
learning, making NCFL a go-to resource for all who are working to make 
adult literacy not only a priority, but a powerful tool for breaking 
the cycles of poverty that limit far too many families. Without her 
pioneering work, the very definition of family literacy that our 
federal government relies on to steer the policies that help countless 
Americans would not exist. It is not an exaggeration to say that Sharon 
Darling helped write the lesson plan for America's comprehensive 
approach to intergenerational learning, because that's exactly what she 
did.
  Her day-to-day presence will be sorely missed by her colleagues and 
all whose lives she has touched, but I'm thrilled to know that Sharon 
is staying on to serve as an active member of NCFL's Board of Directors 
and will continue to support the organization in a variety of ways. 
Even in retirement, she will help continue the success of NCFL in the 
years ahead as they continue under the leadership of Dr. Felicia C. 
Smith.
  When asked about her upcoming retirement, Sharon said, ``Never did I 
expect my life to unfold how it has, but each day I am grateful to all 
those who believe in the tremendous power of multigenerational 
learning.'' On behalf of the people of Kentucky's Third Congressional 
District and all who know Sharon Darling, let me say that we are all 
incredibly grateful that her life unfolded as it did, and that millions 
of Americans--including the more than 4.5 million parents and children 
across the 150 communities in 39 states and Washington, D.C. served by 
NCFL--are all better for her life's work.
  I thank Sharon for her selfless dedication to improving the lives of 
others through learning. I wish her nothing but the best in her 
retirement.

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