[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21170]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                    TRIBUTE TO MRS. VIRGINIA McNEIL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. HAROLD E. FORD, JR.

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2001

  Mr. FORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend well-deserved 
recognition to Mrs. Virginia McNeil of Memphis as she is named 
Elementary School Principal for the year 2001 by the Tennessee 
Principals' Study Council.
  A hands-on educator with varied experiences and an abiding devotion 
to her profession, Mrs. Virginia McNeil has rendered distinguished 
service as an elementary school teacher, assistant principal and as an 
instructional supervisor for the System-Wide Achievement Team of 
Memphis City Schools; however, the defining position of Mrs. McNeil's 
career has been her productive tenure as the principal of Alton 
Elementary school, a position she has held since August 1988.
  With a powerful determination and an expressed concern for each 
student, Principal McNeil has worked tirelessly to implement school 
reform, inspire students to achieve, encourage professional development 
for teachers and involve parents and community leaders in the everyday 
operation of this school. In the midst of her work, she also has been 
the impetus behind the creation of the school's strong sense of 
``internal community.'' The collective attitude of the faculty and 
staff has been one which has encouraged support and collaboration. This 
has been extremely important given the fact that Mrs. McNeil has 
shepherded a staff that has consistently contained a significant number 
of new and young teachers.
  These efforts have helped to turn this low-performing urban school 
into a model for the Mid-South region with the dramatic turnaround that 
has occurred with not only the school's poor test scores, but also the 
positive attitude of the student body and entire school community.
  This recent award only further highlights a career and resolve that 
has been rendered in service to the students and young people of 
Memphis, Tennessee. She has championed the cause of education and been 
one of its most vocal and effective advocates. This can be easily seen 
with the noteworthy accomplishments she has achieved including her 
selection as an attendee to the Harvard Principal's Academy in 1999, 
her selection as a participant in the 2002 Leadership Memphis Class, 
her recognition as Distinguished Role Model of the Year with the 
Memphis Alliance of Black School Educators, and her role as president-
elect of the Tennessee Association of Elementary and Middle School 
Principals (TAEMSP).
  For the incalculable effect her good work has had in the lives of 
countless youth, Mr. Speaker, I would ask that you and my colleagues in 
the U.S. House of Representatives would join with me in honoring my 
friend and a friend to education, Mrs. Virginia McNeil of Memphis, 
Tennessee.