[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10174]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOYCE ROMANOW

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 6, 2006

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise today 
to join the many family, friends and colleagues who have gathered to 
honor a very special woman, and my dear friend, Joyce Romanow, as she 
celebrates her retirement. After more than thirty-seven years of giving 
our young people the best educational opportunities possible, Joyce 
will leave the teaching arena to pursue her own personal goals.
  I often speak of our nation's need for talented, creative, 
enthusiastic teachers who are ready to help our children learn and 
grow. My dear friend Joyce is just that kind of educator. Throughout 
her career, she has touched the lives of thousands of children from 
elementary school to high school. Joyce began her teaching career in 
the town of West New York, located in New Jersey, where she taught 
second and third grade students, many of Cuban decent, for nine years. 
She then moved to New Haven, Connecticut and began teaching at Kimberly 
Avenue School at City Point. After consulting with colleagues, and 
thinking about her own personal teaching experience, she decided to 
become an English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher--
working with some of our community's most vulnerable children. Here she 
had the opportunity to travel to many schools within the New Haven 
public school system, enabling the children of immigrant families to 
find success in the learning process based upon his or her individual 
needs and strengths. Naturally paired with the educational program, 
Joyce also focused on the importance of positive development of not 
only our children's intellect, but their character development as well. 
She has placed great emphasis on the importance of team work, providing 
a productive environment, and has been an outstanding role model. For 
the last five years, she has been an ESOL teacher at Hillhouse High 
School, working with high school students in grades nine through 
twelve. Although Joyce has enjoyed working with students at all grade 
levels, she has a special place in her heart for high school students. 
I know she will be sorely missed by her students, friends and 
colleagues at Hillhouse High School.
  Public education is the cornerstone of the American dream--leveling 
the playing field and providing every child with the opportunity to 
make the most of his or her talents. This is what Joyce has dedicated 
her life to doing for the past thirty-seven years. It is talented 
professionals like Joyce who truly shape the leaders of tomorrow.
  In addition to her outstanding teaching career, Joyce has raised an 
exceptional son Danny, whom I adore. She is certainly more than a 
friend--she is family. Words cannot begin to express my appreciation 
and gratitude for the tireless support she has shown to me and my 
family over the years.
  And so, it is with deep admiration and affection that I stand today 
to join her son Danny, her family, friends and colleagues in extending 
my sincere congratulations to Joyce Romanow as she celebrates her 
retirement. Joyce is a remarkable woman whose generosity and compassion 
has left an indelible mark on so many children whose lives she has 
transformed. Though she will be enjoying her retirement years, I am 
certain that Joyce will continue to keep a hand in teaching--her 
extraordinary dedication and kind heart making all the difference. I am 
happy to extend my very best wishes to her for many more years of 
health and happiness.

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