[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 21]
[Senate]
[Page 30624]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                          TRIBUTE TO BARB RABE

 Mr. KOHL. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the work of 
Barb Rabe, who retired after 29 years of service in the Oshkosh School 
District. She began her career in the Oshkosh School District in 1970 
at the Perry Tipler Middle School as a Teachers Assistant, and then 
transferred to Oakwood Elementary School where she served for the next 
27 years. During her years of service, Barb worked for six principals, 
adapting to each new principal's style, and was always actively 
involved as the staff grew from 12 to 42 and the student population 
grew from 200 to 500. She worked hard at creating partnerships with 
staff, students and families that would foster collaboration, 
cooperation and allegiance. Barb's strong work ethic, energy and 
enthusiasm will be missed.
  While mastering the key elements of organization and flexibility, 
giving of her time and talent in serving the faculty and students of 
Oakwood School, and showing love and appreciation for students, she 
also came up with new ideas to adapt to the changing work environment. 
She developed the computerized milk and lunch money collection program 
at the school, which helped the school collect money more efficiently 
and thoroughly. She also purchased her own computer years before the 
school purchased them and took her work home to complete it in an 
organized fashion. When Oakwood School became computerized, she played 
an instrumental role in the conversion process. The students and staff 
of Oakwood will miss her professional and positive demeanor, although 
her husband of 45 years, Gordon, and their three sons and their 
families, will enjoy spending more time with her. Barb will be sorely 
missed by the entire Oakwood Elementary School community, however I 
extend my best wishes for a healthy, enriched and rewarding 
retirement.

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