[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 15, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4104-S4105]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO DR. ANNIE NORMAN

 Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. President, I rise today to 
congratulate Dr. Annie Norman on her retirement as State Librarian of 
Delaware and director of the Delaware Division of Libraries. Throughout 
her 40-year tenure at the Delaware Department of State, Dr. Norman has 
remained an unwavering public servant dedicated to improving Delaware's 
libraries for all Delawareans. Her visionary leadership has transformed 
Delaware's library system, and her legacy will benefit generations of 
Delawareans for years to come.
  Throughout her career, Dr. Norman served under five different 
administrations. For each Governor, Dr. Norman has been a trusted voice 
for the advancement of literacy and lifelong learning. Under her 
leadership, the Delaware Library Catalog was established and expanded 
to all Delaware public libraries, academic libraries, and many school 
libraries, allowing over 4 million books and other materials to be 
shared statewide.
  Dr. Norman has been a leading voice in addressing our State's 
literacy challenges, serving as founder and co-chair of the Delaware 
Literacy Alliance alongside Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy 
Marten. In 2020, Dr. Norman oversaw the statewide launch of Dolly 
Parton's Imagination Library, which provides free books to all Delaware 
children from birth to age 5.
  I am proud to have partnered with Dr. Norman to secure Federal 
funding and expand the division of libraries' teleservices kiosk 
program, which connects Delawareans in rural and underserved 
communities to healthcare, employment assistance, and legal services. 
During my years in the House of

[[Page S4105]]

Representatives and now the Senate, I always appreciated the 
opportunity to meet with Dr. Norman to discuss Delaware's library 
funding needs, statewide literacy initiatives, and the many ways our 
libraries strengthen communities across the State.
  Dr. Norman's contributions have been recognized with many awards and 
accolades across her career, including her appointment by President 
Biden to the National Museum and Library Services Board and her 
induction into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women. Dr. Norman's 
leadership has resulted in the expansion of more than two dozen 
libraries across the State and the delivery of state-of-the-art 
services through robust technology infrastructure. She has truly 
transformed Delaware's libraries into community hubs for Delawareans to 
gather, learn, and receive necessary services. I wish Dr. Norman the 
best of luck in her retirement.
  Today, I invite my colleagues to join me and the people of Delaware 
in congratulating Dr. Annie Norman on her retirement and for an 
outstanding life of public service.

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