[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7102]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO BARB HESS

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I would like to take a few moments to 
pay tribute to a remarkable teacher who has touched the lives of 
countless students in Davenport, IA. Miss Barb Hess is retiring after 
46 years teaching various social studies courses at Davenport Central 
High School.
  Many of us can think back to one favorite teacher who stands out 
amongst all the rest; who because of a unique combination of 
personality and teaching skills, was able to spark an interest in a 
certain subject or learning in general. Miss Hess has been such a 
teacher for an extraordinary number of students. Her profound impact on 
her students and on Central High is attested to by her colleagues who 
wrote me an impassioned letter recounting her impressive career, as 
well as by a great many of her former students, including a member of 
my staff.
  In the classroom, Miss Hess commands respect and maintains discipline 
with only a few softly spoken but firm words, making clear that 
appropriate behavior is expected. She holds high academic expectations 
for her students, challenging them to achieve their potential. Her 
courses, many of which she developed herself, push students to think 
deeply and critically. Her students know that she expects papers to 
demonstrate clear writing with well reasoned arguments backed by solid 
research. In a time of much discussion about lack of rigor in high 
school coursework, Miss Hess's classes stand out as an example of 
rigorous preparation for higher education and other life-enriching 
opportunities.
  Her high expectations for her students are a natural outgrowth of the 
high expectations she sets for herself. Although Miss Hess holds both a 
bachelor's and a master's degree from Drake University, she has never 
ceased to enhance her own knowledge of the subjects she teaches. She 
can always spot plagiarism, often because she is intimately familiar 
with the original source.
  Outside the classroom, Miss Hess has been the adviser for the student 
council starting in 1974 and has advised numerous other student groups 
and organizations. In fact, she has organized, advised, or assisted 
with more functions at Davenport Central over the years than can be 
tallied. Barb Hess has been a loyal ``Blue Devil'' since her student 
days, consistently supporting sports teams, fine arts events, and other 
extracurricular activities over the years.
  Barb Hess is a fixture at Davenport Central High School, having 
achieved near legendary status among those familiar with the school. 
Her imprint on the institution will continue to be felt very strongly. 
Her imprint on the lives of her students will be even more enduring. 
The best teachers combine extensive content knowledge with a certain 
intangible ability to connect with students and to inspire them to 
excel in school and life. Miss Hess's ability to care about each 
student as an individual, and unique talent for bringing out the best 
in students of all kinds, places her among the best of the best. She 
will be missed in her classroom at Central High, but her legacy of 
improving the lives of generations of students will last forever. I 
thank Barb Hess for her years of service to Iowa's youth and I wish her 
the very best in her retirement.

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