[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 14]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20000]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



        DOUGLAS H. PIERSON, RHODE ISLAND'S PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 16, 2001

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Douglas 
Pierson, principal of North Kingstown's Hamilton Elementary School who 
was recently named a National Distinguished Principal by the U.S. 
Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary 
School Principals.
  Mr. Pierson was selected for this honor for his outstanding 
leadership, and inter-personal and management skills. Throughout his 
tenure at Hamilton Elementary, Mr. Pierson has created a trusting 
environment where students, teachers, staff, and parents are encouraged 
to reflect, learn from their mistakes, and be thoughtful and creative 
about every aspect of their educational experience.
  While Federal officials are just beginning to fully recognize the 
value of continuous learning for teachers and staff, Mr. Pierson has 
been encouraging it among his faculty for years. By modeling teaching 
strategies and disseminating research on innovative education 
practices, Mr. Pierson has improved instruction for each and every 
student at Hamilton. It was Mr. Pierson's leadership that led Hamilton 
Elementary to conduct a study of its effectiveness, and it is his 
guidance that allows time for each teacher to consider his or her 
instructional methods in light of the study's conclusions.
  In addition to being an outstanding administrator, Mr. Pierson is an 
extraordinary teacher. From playing the ukulele to demonstrating mime 
to first-graders to dressing up as ``Zero the Hero,'' complete with 
tights, a cape and hood, Mr. Pierson shows that he values students 
above all else.
  Mr. Pierson was selected for this honor from among nominees of 
schools all over the State. U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige will 
recognize him at a ceremony here in Washington on October 19. I am very 
much looking forward to welcoming Mr. Pierson to our Nation's Capitol 
and congratulating him on this impressive honor in person.
  Mr. Speaker, we all know the immense challenges associated with true 
leadership. True leadership inspires people to be their best, to 
collaborate, and to work together toward long-term and often intangible 
goals. Mr. Douglas Pierson consistently displays true leadership,


and, on behalf of the Second Congressional District of Rhode Island, I 
would like to extend a heartfelt thank you for his efforts.

                          ____________________