[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 21391]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         RECOGNIZING CHULA MORI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 4, 2003

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, it is, with a heavy heart 
that I rise today to pay tribute to Chula Mori, who died at St. Helena 
Hospital in Angwin, California, March 28, 2003. Chula, a treasured 
member of Napa County, California, died at the age of 55 after a 
courageous battle with cancer. Chula was diagnosed with breast cancer 
21 years ago, and then in June 2002, with brain, liver and lung cancer.
  As Head Teacher in the Napa County Office of Education's Napa Child 
Development Center, Chula dedicated her life to educating young 
children. An extraordinary teacher and a kind-hearted, loving person, 
Chula was also someone her students could trust and depend on. One of 
her great joys was when former students, grown with children of their 
own, would rush up to give her hugs when they would run in to her out 
in the community.
  Many of the students enrolled in the Napa Child Development Center 
come from broken homes and disadvantaged circumstances. Though just 
preschoolers, Chula's students often carried the weight of neglect and 
discouragement on their small shoulders. Often, Chula's class served as 
a port in the storm. She made her students feel safe, loved and 
appreciated.
  For over 27 years Chula educated the kids in our community. Yet, 
ironically, I believe the greatest lessons she taught may have been 
outside the classroom. Lying in a hospital bed at St. Helena Hospital 
in Angwin, California, Chula was an incredible example to her friends 
and loved ones of how to live and how to die with dignity.
  Mr. Speaker, Chula's influence is easily seen throughout our 
community. Whether on the faces of her own two children and three 
grandchildren or in the hearts of countless former students, Chula's 
impact can never be erased nor will it fade. Those of us who knew her 
well are better because we knew her well. For these reasons and 
countless others it is appropriate at this time that we recognize and 
honor Chula Mori, who lived her life as a blessing to others.

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