[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 22]
[Senate]
[Page 29934]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      CONGRATULATING EDITH MILLER

 Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, today I recognize the outstanding 
contributions made by Edith Miller, outgoing Executive Director for the 
Vermont School Boards Association, VSBA.
  Edie, as she is known to her colleagues, friends, and family, joined 
the Vermont School Boards Association in December 1997 after previously 
serving for many years as the director of the University of Vermont's 
Continuing Education Program.
  Edie also served with great distinction on numerous boards dedicated 
to the arts and community welfare. Her participation in local 
government is noteworthy. She has worn many hats, from holding 
positions on the town zoning and planning commissions to her current 
role as Chair of the East Montpelier Select Board.
  I also had the pleasure and benefit of having her husband, Martin 
Miller, on staff during my tenure as Vermont Attorney General from 1969 
through 1972.
  Over the years, various individuals have described Edie Miller as a 
strong and articulate voice in support of public education. She 
possesses a tireless work ethic and an ability to identify critical 
issues, analyze the information, and communicate that information not 
only to the VSBA members, but also to local State and Federal 
officials.
  Edie was a driving force in the creation and implementation of the 
Vermont Education Leadership Alliance Project, VELA. She worked 
diligently with her colleagues in the Vermont Superintendents 
Association and the Vermont Principals' Association to address the 
critical shortage of principals, superintendents and school board 
members in Vermont. The program was designed to train and certify 
school leaders, thereby increasing their effectiveness and reducing 
turnover. Although VELA is now under the capable leadership of David 
Ford, Edie still remains very active on its Board of Directors.
  Her remarkable skill at working with a broad constituency has earned 
Edie enormous respect within Vermont's education community. Edie is not 
afraid to pursue any idea that she believes will improve outcomes for 
Vermont's children.
  To underscore my efforts to increase funding of special education, 
Edie met with members of every school board throughout Vermont, 
convincing them to sign a petition asking the federal government to 
fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This was 
not an easy task, but she persevered. These petitions were presented to 
me in Vermont, bound in a red ribbon. During Senate debate of the 
various special education funding proposals I have sponsored, I take 
these petitions with me to the chamber. I can tell you that those 
petitions have made a deep impression on my colleagues.
  I have been very fortunate to work closely with Edie on a number of 
education issues. I have always appreciated her keen insight and her 
insistence on carefully weighing all aspects of proposals before making 
a policy decision.
  For Edie, it is important to increase educational opportunities for 
all students. For Edie, first and foremost, it is and always will be 
about the kids.
  Edie has left an indelible mark on Vermont's education landscape. 
Though she may be stepping away from her responsibilities at VSBA, I 
know she will not be stepping away from education.
  So, it is with great pleasure that I offer my congratulations to Edie 
Miller on her stellar accomplishments as executive director for the 
Vermont School Boards Association and her unyielding commitment to the 
education of Vermont's children.

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