[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22963]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING DR. KAY HILL ON THE OCCASION OF HER RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2007

  Ms. DeLAURO. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to join the family, friends and colleagues who have gathered this 
evening to celebrate the retirement and the remarkable contributions to 
our community of Dr. Kay Hill--one of my dearest friends. An educator, 
mentor, advocate, and friend, Kay has touched the lives of tens of 
thousands through her teaching, writing, and constant self-learning, 
even as she devoted herself to her family, through tough times and good 
times.
  Upon graduation from Yale University, Kay began her career with the 
New Haven Public Schools system as an English as a Second Language 
instructor at the Welch School. Just a year later, she became the 
Supervisor of the World Language Program for 38 elementary, middle and 
high schools. Through intelligence, a strong work ethic, and 
compassion, Kay has earned the love and respect of her students and 
colleagues alike. It has been under her leadership that the program has 
grown from 24 to 80 teachers and currently has 6,370 foreign language 
students and 690 dual language students enrolled. Perhaps the most 
telling examples of the success of this program have been the 
outstanding achievements of its students who have excelled at the state 
COLT poetry recitation contest as well as on national and state exams.
  Kay has always had a passion for foreign language and education. To 
understand her enthusiasm and her deep commitment to education, one 
only has to look to the inspiration she received from her parents. Her 
mother traveled to Paraguay at a young age on a missionary trip 
sponsored by her Mennonite church. It was during her time with this 
program that she learned the Spanish language--a passion which she 
passed on to Kay. Kay's father had an illustrious career as a minister 
with the Church Center for the United Nations and later as a minister 
for world peace in Tampa, FL. Even in his retirement, he continued to 
make a difference as writer and editor of a social justice newsletter. 
Like so many of us, Kay took the lessons she learned as a child and 
made her own mark on the world.
  In her position as supervisor for the World Language Program, she 
traveled extensively, opening the doors of opportunity for her 
students. Her first trip was to Russia where she and 30 students spent 
3\1/2\ weeks touring the country visiting Moscow, St. Petersburg, and 
Nizhny Novgorod. Kay's dedication to education--especially foreign 
language education--has been recognized on many levels. She attended an 
international conference for compensatory education in Paris where she 
was the only educator representing the United States and was sent by 
the Connecticut Department of Education to recruit and interview 
prospective educators. Just last year, Kay traveled to China with a 
group sponsored by the Chinese government aimed at learning more about 
their culture and to promote Chinese language education.
  As an educator, Kay's leadership and vision opened many doors to her 
students, however, it is through her dedication and love as a parent 
that one truly sees the difference she can make in the life of a young 
person. As the mother of an autistic child, Kay has diligently sought 
out every possible program and opportunity for her son, Peter, to learn 
and grow--and what a young man he is. She and her husband, Mitch, make 
each other stronger, as they knock down the barriers that fate has put 
in front of them. Reflecting their determination and leadership, their 
daughter, Lily, recently co-chaired the annual State Prejudice 
Reduction Conference--a leadership conference of more than 1,000 
students from across the state.
  I also must take this opportunity to thank Kay for her many years of 
special friendship. As an educator, parent, and colleague, Kay has 
inspired greatness in others, including myself--leaving an indelible 
mark on their lives. I am proud to join her husband, Mitch, her 
children, Peter and Lily, as well as all of the friends and colleagues 
who have gathered this evening to extend my sincere congratulations to 
Dr. Kay Hill as she celebrates her retirement.

                          ____________________