June 3, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S4965 It is hard for people to experience Ar- make a positive difference and she has. New Hampshire Excellence in Edu- kansas without noticing the remark- She supports good causes, knows in re- cation Awards. These prestigious able accomplishments of Bill Clark. It markable detail the history of the awards, commonly called the ‘‘ED’’ies, is not hard to imagine just what makes smallest communities in our State, and are presented each year to individuals Bill Clark so special to his family, his knows the importance of simply re- and schools who demonstrate the high- friends, and to Arkansas. He was a per- membering. She loves children, cap- est level of excellence in education. son of great faith, a loving husband and turing them with tall tales while The ‘‘ED’’ies were instituted as a way father, a doting grandfather, and a hu- stressing education and personal char- to honor the best of the best among morous, compassionate friend to all he acter. New Hampshire’s educators. For 15 met. Bill never approached a situation Her wonderful southern accent is years, annual award winners have been with a negative attitude; rather, he well remembered on NPR’s ‘‘All Things drawn from a rich source of talented saw everything as an opportunity to Considered’’ and her commentaries are and successful teachers, administra- benefit his community. Bill will be still heard on Alabama Public Radio. tors, schools, and school boards. This well remembered for his generosity and I applaud her on her many achieve- year’s recipients are no exception. commitment to improving his commu- ments, and I am thankful to have such Those individuals selected have been compared against a criteria set by oth- nity.∑ a beacon of literary excellence shining ers in their discipline through their from Alabama. She is highly recog- f sponsoring organization. Schools are nized for her achievements by the chosen by experienced educators and TRIBUTE TO KATHRYN TUCKER whole State and around the world and community leaders in New Hampshire WINDHAM was one of the 13 artists chosen to rep- ∑ Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. President, today based on guidelines established by the resent the State by the Alabama State New Hampshire Excellence in Edu- I ask that my colleagues join me in Council for the Arts at Alabama in celebrating the 90th birthday of one of cation Board of Directors. I am proud France and Monaco in 2000. She was to recognize the individuals and America’s and Alabama’s most tal- also honored in 2003 with the establish- schools who will receive this honor on ented and acclaimed residents, Ms. ment of the Kathryn Tucker Windham June 7, 2008, and look forward to per- Kathryn Tucker Windham. Ms. Museum at Alabama Southern College. sonally presenting this year’s award Windham is a beloved storyteller, au- Fellow Alabama author Harper Lee, for Secondary School of Excellence to thor, playwright, photographer, tele- author of ‘‘To Kill a Mockingbird’’, Londonderry High School, as well as vision and radio personality and, most which is set in Monroeville not far the Presidential Awards for Math and importantly, a woman of faith, integ- from Thomasville, nominated Ms. Science to Kimberly Knighton of Pro- rity, grace and high ideals. Windham to the Alabama Academy of file School and Louis Broad of This smalltown girl has written larg- Honor in 2003. Some of her other acco- Timberlane High School, respectively. er than life tales including ‘‘Thirteen lades include: Alabama Humanities As a graduate of Salem High School, Alabama Ghosts and Jeffery’’, along Award in 2000, the Governor’s Award I am especially pleased that this year’s with many other historically based for the Arts, the National Storytelling New Hampshire Teacher of the Year, ghost-stories that involve smalltown Association’s Circle of Excellence Benjamin Adams, has taught in Salem urban legends in Alabama, Georgia, Award and Lifetime Achievement for 12 years. As I serve in the United Tennessee, and Mississippi. She has Award, the University of Alabama’s States Senate, I am grateful for the ex- also written works like ‘‘Twice Society of Fine Arts’ Alabama Award, cellent education I received in our New Blessed’’, ‘‘GRITS’’ and ‘‘Alabama, One the Selma Rotary Club’s Citizen of the Hampshire public schools, and con- Big Front Porch’’, which reveal the Year, and she was inducted into the gratulate all of this year’s award win- rich joys of Alabama living. University of Alabama College of Com- ners. She grew up in Thomasville, AL, not munications Hall of Fame. I ask that the list of the 2008 New too far from my rural home and not In true poetic form, I think, Ms. Hampshire Excellence in Education too far from another notable Alabama Windham sums up her insights in her Award winners be printed in the writer—Harper Lee. Her capacity for book ‘‘Alabama, One Big Front Porch’’: RECORD. The material follows. storytelling and writing started early, Alabama, they say, is like one big front as a news reporter. But she did not stop porch where folks gather on summer nights 2008 NEW HAMPSHIRE EXCELLENCE IN there allowing her natural talent and to tell tales and to talk family. The stories EDUCATION AWARDS RECIPIENTS inclinations to lead her to a higher they tell are all alike in their Southern Dr. Maurissa Abecassis; Benjamin Adams; plane of national renown. It is always blend of exaggeration, humor, pathos, folk- Ina Ahern; Susan Antico; Dawn Bechtold; Al- inspirational to see a real person, an lore and romanticism. Family history is exander J. Blastos; Louis Broad; James K. Crane; Heather R. Cummings; Blanche individual American, follow their own woven into the stories. And pride. And humor. Always humor. Garant; Tobi Gray Chassie; Dorothy Grazier; calling and achieve success. Cynthia Grisa; Jacquelyn Hall; Percy Hill; Ms. Windham represents the highest I know I speak for all Alabamians Mark Humphreys; Kevin Irwin; Maria Knee; values of our State and region. This is and all Americans when I express my Kimberley Knighton; Dan LaFleur; William so because she was raised right, studied gratitude for your eloquence, your lit- Marston; Curt Martin; Jan Martin; John hard, thought deeply, and was com- erary achievements, and your human- Miles; Carl J. Nelson; Christina Nelson; Jill mitted to a life that enriches others. A ity, and say, ‘‘Happy Birthday Kathryn Pinard; Virginia Pinard; Dennis Pymm; Mi- Tucker Windham!’’ chael Reardon; Christine Reinart; David graduate of my alma mater, Hun- Seiler; Elise Smith; Bill Tirone; Carolann tingdon College, she followed its admo- In closing, I would like to leave the Wais; Bradley Wolff; and Ellen Zimmerman, nition, ‘‘Enter to grow in wisdom; go Senate with a few of her words that RN, M.Ed. forth to apply wisdom in service.’’ truly embody the spirit of her work Chichester School Board, Cooperative Mid- I have known her and her son Ben for and life: dle School, Londonderry High School, many years. I am so in awe of her. Not I think we need to be put back in touch Adeline C. Marston Elementary School, with our childhood . . . to be reminded of Pittsfield Elementary School, Simonds Ele- just for her noteworthy achievements, mentary School.∑ but because of the content of her char- what’s important, like memories about peo- acter. She is an entertaining story- ple we loved, or things that happened to us f teller for sure, but she is a truth teller that affected our lives, things we can laugh TRIBUTE TO GENERAL BURWELL about and shed a few tears about . . . I think BAXTER BELL also. Her works reflect with truth the storytelling is a way of saying ‘‘I love you. I nature of the human condition. In love you enough to tell you something that ∑ Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I wish them, she displays a love for all per- means a great deal to me.’’∑ to recognize the professional dedica- sons that reflects well on her rich her- f tion, vision, and military service of itage of religious faith. GEN B.B. Bell, who is retiring from the She, from a lifetime of experience NEW HAMPSHIRE EXCELLENCE IN U.S. Army after 39 years of dedicated and insight, has been a leader in racial EDUCATION AWARD WINNERS service. It is a privilege for me to rec- reconciliation in her home area. Per- ∑ Mr. SUNUNU. Mr. President, today I ognize the many outstanding achieve- sons of her integrity and stature can congratulate the 2008 recipients of the ments General Bell has provided the

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