[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6588-6589]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO ANZELLA K. NELMS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 22, 2008

  Mr. PAYNE. Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of 
Representatives to join me as I rise to recognize and honor a dedicated 
public servant, Anzella K. Nelms who is retiring from the position of 
State District Deputy Superintendent of the Newark Public Schools. Ms. 
Nelms' journey to this post encompassed many levels including classroom 
teacher, vice principal and principal. As a result of these 
experiences. Ms. Nelms was definitely in a position to make a 
difference in the lives of our most precious resources, our children.
  An accomplished student herself, having attended school in her native 
Raleigh, North Carolina, Anzella Nelms sought to ensure that Newark's 
school children received a quality education. Her dramatic influence 
can be seen at Camden Middle School where she served

[[Page 6589]]

as principal from 1979 to 1989 and helped to develop a national model 
for school effectiveness. It can also be seen in the 16 ``Theme 
Schools'' she began within her School Leadership Team while serving as 
Assistant Superintendent. Fortunately, for those who had the 
opportunity to work with her, Ms. Nelms was generous with sharing her 
knowledge and her significant leadership skills.
  As Ms. Nelms retires, she will be remembered for her belief in the 
needs of the total child along with her other accomplishments. She 
started a tennis program and encouraged fine arts within the schools. 
She is an excellent role model as well as the consummate professional. 
Her elegance and charm are as integral to her being as her love for 
learning. Ms. Nelms has touched the lives of countless students, 
parents and administrators.
  Quite appropriately, Ms. Nelms has received many awards, accolades 
and honors for her work in the Newark Public School System. I am truly 
grateful that she chose Newark as her system of choice because I know 
she had other options. As a former teacher, I know that to be in an 
educational environment is to serve with one's heart. Ms. Anzella Nelms 
has served with her heart since 1964 and in the process has created a 
memorable legacy.
  Madam Speaker, I am sure my colleagues agree that Ms. Anzella Nelms 
deserves to be feted at a party in her honor on Friday, April 18, 2008, 
for her many years of dedicated service to the Newark community. I am 
proud to have had her in my Congressional district and wish her never-
ending success in her future endeavors.

                          ____________________