[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14952]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR NEEL PARIKH AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 
           AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION'S 2010 SULLIVAN AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ADAM SMITH

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 30, 2010

  Mr. SMITH of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
contributions of Pierce County Library System Executive Director Neel 
Parikh, who the American Library Association has named the recipient of 
the 2010 Sullivan Award. I ask that my colleagues join me in honoring 
Ms. Parikh.
  The American Library Association's Sullivan Award for Public Library 
Administrators Supporting Services to Children is presented annually to 
an individual who demonstrates an extraordinary capacity to support and 
enrich children through public library services. The Award highlights 
individuals who demonstrate exceptional understanding and support of 
public library service for children and produce the best projects and 
partnerships that help public libraries provide for young learners.
  It is a privilege to commend Neel Parikh, Executive Director of the 
Pierce County Library System, as the recipient of the 2010 Sullivan 
Award. Ms. Parikh originally studied to become a South Asia specialist, 
while simultaneously working as a children's librarian at the Berkeley 
Public Library in Berkeley, California. However, after finding her true 
passion with the public library, Ms. Parikh changed her educational 
focus to library science and has since been serving as a librarian and 
administrator in Pierce County.
  Ms. Parikh has become a leader in providing early learning, training, 
and support for families, childcare providers, and library staff both 
locally and across the state. While Parikh believes that early learning 
is a critical service for all public libraries, she maintains that teen 
services are equally important. She supported Pierce County Library 
System in becoming one of the first Libraries of Promise, which seeks 
to encourage people to build the character and competence of children 
by providing them access to additional educational outlets.
  Ms. Parikh's leadership as a strong community collaborator is a 
testament to her success for advancing early learning forward 
throughout Pierce County. She has collaborated with social service 
organizations, schools, and community leaders to build services for 
young learners.
  Ms. Parikh is a founding member and chair of the Early Learning 
Public Library Partnership, a consortium created with the vision that 
public libraries are full, essential partners in the early learning 
movement in Washington State. The consortium puts public libraries at 
the table with other early learning organizations. Under her 
leadership, the partnership has grown to include 27 public libraries 
across the state.
  In addition to her library responsibilities, Ms. Parikh has been 
active in the Association for Library Service to Children, served on 
the Public Library Association Board of Directors, and held a seat on 
the Executive Committee of the Washington Library Association.
  Parikh is the seventh winner of this award, provided by former 
American Library Association President Peggy Sullivan.
  Madam Speaker, I congratulate Neel Parikh on this impressive 
achievement, and celebrate her commitment to furthering children's 
education through positive library experiences.

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