[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2280]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  PAYING TRIBUTE TO JOSEPH E. THIRIOT

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                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 28, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Joseph E. Thiriot for 
33 years of teaching in Nevada and a lifetime full of goodwill and 
service to the community. Joseph is recognized today at the dedication 
of Joseph E. Thiriot Elementary School which opened September 19, 2005.
  Joseph was born August 20, 1906, in Provo, UT. When he was 13 he 
moved to Nevada and graduated from a one-room schoolhouse in Pahranagat 
Valley in Lincoln County. He earned a teaching degree from Brigham 
Young University in 1930 and a masters of arts from Northwestern 
University. He then taught school in Lincoln County from 1932 to 39. 
The following year, Joseph and his wife, Ellen, also a longtime Las 
Vegas High School teacher, moved to Las Vegas, where they raised three 
children, all Las Vegas High School graduates. He finished his teaching 
career in 1966, after 26 years at Las Vegas High School. Some of the 
subjects that Joseph taught include drama, english literature, grammar, 
stagecraft, play production, debate, public speaking, chorus and 
typing. He also headed the Debate team and the Glee Club.
  Joseph's students remember him for the fun and exciting classes that 
he taught and the long hours he put in after school to direct large 
productions, have extra rehearsals for the next choir concert or to 
help prepare for an upcoming debate. During these long hours students 
not only received help for their respective activity but benefited from 
the example he showed as an outstanding educator and citizen. He had a 
dedication to educate his students both in and out of the classroom 
that will not be forgotten.
  Outside of school, Joseph is very active in the community. He and his 
wife were longtime costume and makeup directors for the Helldorado 
parade and other local events. He also cofounded the Las Vegas Little 
Theater in 1945, helped to form the Las Vegas Classroom Teacher 
Association, and championed the construction of the old Las Vegas High 
School auditorium in 1953, where the first classes of what is now 
University of Nevada, Las Vegas were held. Joseph long performed as a 
member of the Westerner Quartet and was, for 11 years, a member of the 
internationally renowned Desert Chorale. An avid collector of rocks and 
gems, even at the age of 99, when he visits area schools to talk to 
students on behalf of the Las Vegas Gem Club, he at times meets 
youngsters whose grandparents were his former students.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize Joseph E. Thiriot. He has 
lived his life full of integrity, enthusiasm, and hard work, dedicating 
it to education, family, students, and the community. He has been a 
mentor and inspiration to hundreds of students and to his family and I 
congratulate him today at the dedication of Joseph E. Thiriot 
Elementary School.

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