[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 2566-2567]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             TRIBUTE TO KATHRYN ELIZABETH ``BETH'' SHIELDS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM DAVIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 2, 2006

  Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Kathryn 
Elizabeth ``Beth'' Shields who dedicated her life to improving 
opportunities for Hillsborough County's school children.
  Beth spent 44 years in the Hillsborough County school system, working 
both as a teacher and administrator. A graduate of Hillsborough High 
School and the University of Tampa, with a Master's Degree from the 
University of South Florida, Beth launched her career as a math teacher 
at Memorial Junior High School, then at H.B. Plant High School.
  Beth worked hard throughout her career, and as she rose through the 
school district's ranks, she paved the way for other women working in 
Hillsborough County schools. She served as dean and assistant principal 
at Robinson High School, principal of Coleman Junior High School and 
principal of H.B. Plant High School. Beth then served as district-wide 
assistant superintendent of personnel and assistant superintendent of 
instruction until she became the first female deputy superintendent in 
Hillsborough County schools.
  During her tenure, Beth pushed for more rigorous curriculum and 
academic standards; she spearheaded a successful initiative to improve 
school attendance and helped smooth the transition when magnet schools 
were integrated into the school system. Beth will be remembered for her 
commitment to helping young people, her impressive work ethic and the 
many ways that she changed Hillsborough County School District for the 
better. Beth Shields Middle School in Ruskin stands witness to her 
lifetime of dedication.
  At home, Beth was active in her church and in a number of community 
and charitable organizations, including the Southwest Florida Blood 
Bank, the United Way, the Tampa Coalition and the Hillsborough County 
Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council, SERVE and Athena.
  On behalf of the Hillsborough County community and the countless 
young people she worked for, I would like to thank Beth for all her 
work and extend my deepest sympathies to her family.

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