[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14226]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF 2004 LeGRAND SMITH OUTSTANDING TEACHER AWARD 
                                 WINNER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. NICK SMITH

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 23, 2004

  Mr. SMITH of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, education is the key to our 
Nation's future prosperity and security. The formidable responsibility 
of molding and inspiring young minds to the avenues of hope, 
opportunity and achievement partially rests in the hands of our 
teachers. Today, I would like to recognize a teacher from Jonesville, 
Michigan that significantly influenced and motivated exceptional 
students in academics and leadership who were winners of the LeGrand 
Smith Scholarship.
  Judy Hale teaches College Prep English at Jonesville High School in 
Jonesville. She is credited with instilling in students an enthusiasm 
for not only these subjects, but also for life. As one of her students, 
Shea Scott Dow said, ``She listens and gives advice to her students, 
she motivates and she maintains expectations. Because of these high 
expectations, I feel that I'm ready to go to college and be successful 
in my studies.'' The respect and gratitude of her students speaks well 
of Judy's ability to challenge young minds and encourage them to always 
put forth their best effort.
  Judy Hale's extraordinary work as a teacher has challenged and 
inspired countless students to move beyond the teenage tendency of 
superficial study and encourage them to foster deeper thought and 
connections to the real world. Arguably, no profession is more 
important because of its daily influence upon the future leaders of our 
community and our country, and Judy's impact on her students is 
certainly worthy of recognition.
  On behalf of the Congress of the United States of America, I am proud 
to extend our highest praise to Judy Hale. We thank her for her 
continuing dedication to teaching and her willingness and ability to 
challenge and inspire students to strive for success.

                          ____________________