Recognizing Mrs. Laura Lee Kirkley

Floor Speech

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Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Laura Lee Kirkley for her 40 years of service to the Di Giorgio School Board and the Central Valley community. Mrs. Kirkley has been a Valley resident her whole life--growing up in Tehachapi before eventually moving to Arvin in 1974. In 1976, she married James Kirkley and started a family. As her sons started attending school in the Di Giorgio School District, Mrs. Kirkley knew she wanted to become more involved. This led her to join the school board in 1983--a position she has held ever since.

Mrs. Kirkley attended Bakersfield College and would graduate from California State University, Bakersfield in 1994. One year after her graduation, she was hired by the Arvin Union School District as a 7th and 8th grade math teacher at Haven Drive Middle School. As a teacher, Mrs. Kirkley regularly demonstrated her commitment to her students by helping to lead math competitions for the school. Her students were involved in the County Math Field Day competitions and won many awards--including winning first place in the Arvin High Math Field Day 11 straight years.

Mrs. Kirkley was incredibly involved in the Arvin community throughout her sons' childhood. She attended many Little League, Babe Ruth games, and other extracurricular activities. When they attended Arvin High School, she enjoyed going to their baseball, football, and band performances. Throughout her entire adult life, Mrs. Kirkley has been a staple in the Central Valley community, supporting not only her own children but the hundreds of students she interacted with during her time in the Di Giorgio School District.

Mrs. Kirkley exemplifies the type of leadership that makes the Central Valley such a wonderful place to call home. Her work on behalf of students living in rural communities is remarkable, and I'm proud to recognize her service. I ask my colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join me in recognizing Mrs. Kirkley's 40 years of service on the Di Giorgio School Board and the Central Valley community.

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