congressional_record: CREC-2006-12-08-pt1-PgE2143
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| granule_id | date | congress | session | volume | issue | title | chamber | granule_class | sub_granule_class | page_start | page_end | speakers | bills | citation | full_text |
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| CREC-2006-12-08-pt1-PgE2143 | 2006-12-08 | 109 | 2 | TRIBUTE TO DR. POLLEYS | HOUSE | EXTENSIONS | TRIBUTETO | E2143 | E2143 | [{"name": "Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.", "role": "speaking"}] | 152 Cong. Rec. E2143 | Congressional Record, Volume 152 Issue 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006) [Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E2143] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] TRIBUTE TO DR. POLLEYS ______ HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR. of georgia in the house of representatives Wednesday, December 6, 2006 Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a great woman who has without reserve given her all to Muscogee County, GA. On this day, Dr. Polleys is retiring as chair of the Muscogee County School Board, a position which she has held for 13 years. She has faithfully served her community while blazing new trails for those who would follow. Dr. Polleys grew up in Harris County, GA and knew early on that she wanted to make a difference in her community. To that end, she came back to Columbus to teach school after graduating from Mercer University. Not long thereafter, Mary Sue completed her master's degree at Auburn University and taught speech at the college level for 7 years, tutored extensively, and became involved in corporate training. In accordance with her ambitious nature, she did not stop with her master's but went on to receiver her doctor of philosophy degree from Auburn and served as director of the Servant Leadership Program at Columbus State University until her retirement. After being elected to the Muscogee County School Board in November of 1993, Dr. Polleys led the school board to a place where consensus was the norm, mutual respect was expected, and discourtesy was simply not acceptable. In less than 5 years, the school system resolved its leadership issues, passed a $160 million capital program by a 3-to-1 margin, developed a fund balance of over 30 days, resolved its litigation, reversed the fall in test scores, and restored the confidence of administrators and teachers. More importantly, she restored the confidence of the parents and children whom the board serves. Other members of the Muscogee County School Board characterize her this way: As Chair, Dr. Polleys exemplified true leadership by pushing us when we needed to be pushed, calmed us when we needed to be calmed and taught us when we needed to be taught. She helped take us from a group of nine individuals, with nine separate agendas, to a school board of nine public servants, with a single agenda, service to the community and care for all its children. In a lasting tribute to Dr. Polleys, the school board entered this resolution: It has been said that all of us should be ashamed not to have made at least one victory for mankind during our lifetimes. By that standard, Dr. Polleys has earned not just the right to be unashamed, but the right to be proud. If she thought in terms of pride, she would be. She doesn't. If her accomplishments are to be praised, we must praise them because she won't. Today, as Dr. Polleys moves into retirement from government service, we honor her and thank her for all she has done for the benefit of Columbus, GA--as an elected official and as a private citizen dedicated to the good of others. Her exemplary service to her community has set a standard of dedication and leadership that has inspired many and will inspire many others. ____________________ |