Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Barbara Snopek, Principal of Saint Francis Xavier in La Grange, Illinois and recipient of the 2005 National Distinguished Principal Award.

The National Distinguished Principals Program was established in 1984 as an annual event to honor exemplary elementary school principals who set the pace, character, and quality of the education children receive during their early school years. One principal is chosen from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia, and this year Ms. Barbara Snopek has been selected as a National Distinguished Principal.

Before arriving at St. Francis in 1989, Snopek served as principal at St. Genevieve in Chicago and St. Suzanna in Harvey, Illinois. In her first year at St. Francis she worked closely with the staff to create and implement new curricula for the school. Since Ms. Snopek began her work at St. Francis, enrollment in the school has increased greatly and the majority of the students are testing above the 75th percentile in all academic areas on standardized tests.

Aside from initiated programs that benefit students, Ms. Snopek is also credited with an excellent ability to recognize the talents of her teachers. She helps develop staff members by providing them with varied opportunities for professional growth, including pursuing advanced degrees. Teachers and administration alike recognize Ms. Snopek as one who merges her responsibilities as a spiritual and educational leader to the benefit of her students and staff.

It is my honor to recognize Ms. Barbara Snopek who serves as an example of one of the best in PreK-8 school leadership and helps to foster a greater understanding of the principal's key role in meeting the challenging responsibility of educating children.