[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 104 (Wednesday, June 14, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E560]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CELEBRATING JUDITH ANN O'BRIEN FOWKES ON HER 60TH BIRTHDAY AND HER 
                          CAREER IN EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHEN F. LYNCH

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 2023

  Mr. LYNCH. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to rise today in 
celebration of my dear friend, Judith Ann O'Brien Fowkes of Braintree, 
Massachusetts, in recognition of her 60th birthday. I want to commend 
her for her tireless dedication to educating and inspiring hundreds of 
students in the Archdiocese of Boston for more than thirty years.
  Born in Fort Smith, Northwest Territory, Canada on June 14, 1963, to 
Kevin O'Brien and Patricia Bowser O'Brien, Judith graduated from 
Charles P. Allen High School in Bedford, Nova Scotia in 1981, before 
pursuing and earning a Teacher's License from Nova Scotia Teachers 
College in Truro, Nova Scotia in 1984. One year later, Judith received 
her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Mt. St. Vincent University in 
Halifax, Nova Scotia.
  After completing her education in Canada, Judith arrived in the 
United States in 1987, and began her teaching career for the 
Archdiocese of Boston in the fall of that same year. Inspired and 
driven to always continue learning, Judith earned a Master of Arts in 
Teaching from Emmanuel College in Boston, Massachusetts in 2002. 
Furthermore, Judith continued her call to education by serving on the 
faculties of St. Brigid School in South Boston, the Sacred Heart School 
in Weymouth, and is currently serving as an aide at the St. Brendan 
School in Dorchester.
  Through her countless examples of compassion and selfless service, 
she has inspired many of her former students to become life-long 
learners and educators themselves. Many of her former students have 
gone on to pursue careers in public service, serving as police 
officers, firefighters, and government officials.
  Judith has enriched the lives of her family, friends, and all who 
know her. Her quick and warm smile, her kindness, her compassion, and 
sense of humor are impossible to dodge. Judith's sincere empathy and 
care for each of her students over the years is immeasurable.
  Judith resides in Braintree, Massachusetts with her adoring co-
captain and husband of 32 years, Robert, who served as District 
Director in my office.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take the floor of the House 
today to congratulate Judith on her 60th birthday and to thank her for 
her over thirty years of dedicated service in the Commonwealth. I urge 
my colleagues to join with me, and with Judith's family and friends in 
recognizing Judith's dedicated career in education.

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