[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 8537-8538]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE RETIREMENT OF JERRELLE FRANCOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. ELIJAH E. CUMMINGS

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 6, 2012

  Mr. CUMMINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge a long-time servant 
of the community, Mrs. Jerrelle Francois, an accomplished educator and 
public servant who will leave her post as Vice Chair of the Baltimore 
City Board of School Commissioners on June 30, 2012.
  Jerrelle has served the students of Baltimore for more than three 
decades. Beginning her service as a teacher at Cherry Hill Junior High 
School, and continuing on to become a Department Head, Assistant 
Principal, Principal and Assistant Superintendent, Ms. Francois has 
brought care, mentoring and education to thousands of the city's 
children. A graduate of Morgan State University, Jerrelle has dedicated 
her professional life to serving the children of Baltimore and to 
revitalizing education in the state of Maryland.
  Due to her exemplary career, Jerrelle was nominated for the 2011 
Richard R. Green Award by her colleagues. When nominating her, they 
wrote of her service, ``Ms. Francois' 30-year career as an educator and 
administrator at every level of Baltimore City Public Schools 
exemplifies the highest standards of public service and dedication to 
the students and families of Baltimore.'' They went on to say, ``Ms. 
Francois has devoted her life to a passionate commitment to the 
children of Baltimore and the relentless pursuit of constant 
improvement in student achievement. As part of this dedication, she is 
firmly committed to achieving equity in education for all students.''
  Jerrelle's career may speak for itself but what cannot be stated on a 
resume is her inspirational leadership and her value to the countless 
lives of students, parents, teachers and administrations alike that she 
has touched.
  Mr. Speaker, the words of her colleagues speak volumes about the 
person that she is, but one of the most profound statements I can make 
about this great American is that Jerrelle exemplifies the dedication 
to providing education, especially to underserved populations, that we 
as a nation strive for. She is the personification of what we seek to 
have our education system be-dedicated, driven and providing for those 
who truly need it.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this great 
career.

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