[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11195]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOANN FALK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, June 24, 2002--

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, it is with a profound sense of appreciation 
and pride that I bring to your attention the good works of JoAnn Falk 
of Pueblo, Colorado: the devotion she has shown to the students and 
educators of Pueblo District 70 has proven her to be a shining example 
of the power of education in the lives of our nation's youth. JoAnn was 
recently awarded the National Education Association's `Education 
Support Professional (ESP) of the Year Award,' itself a moving tribute 
to the value of her nearly thirty years of work for public education in 
my state.
  JoAnn has dedicated her life to causes greater than her own self-
interest. As an educator, she has fought for the rights and respect her 
fellow education support professionals deserve. JoAnn has worked hard 
to recruite school board candidates responsive to the needs of 
classified employees and continually held the needs of her students as 
her top priority. She has been persistent in these undertakings, never 
allowing the word `no' to stop her from striving for what she knows in 
her heart is right.
  JoAnn Falk is, herself, a tribute to the many hardworking education 
support professionals throughout our nation. Over her many years of 
work in Pueblo District 70, JoAnn has demonstrated a commitment to the 
development of school programs and the role of ESP employees. Among her 
accomplishments is the establishment of an innovative new substitute 
teacher program as well as her creation of the first Elementary School 
Media Center in all of Pueblo.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with a grateful heart that I rise to pay tribute 
to the work done by JoAnn Falk on behalf of the children and educators 
of Pueblo District 70. Her career in education is a testament to the 
values, sacrifice and commitment that make Colorado, and America, 
great. She richly deserves the recognition she has recently received 
from the National Education Association. I am proud to convey to JoAnn 
the respect and praise of this body of Congress.

                          ____________________