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a Ceremonial Resolution
20-103
In the Council of the District of Columbia
September 17, 2013
To posthumously honor, recognize, and celebrate the life of Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel, who devoted her life to giving the children of the District of Columbia a global awareness and understanding of diverse cultures across continents and in their own backyards.
WHEREAS, Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel was born in the District of Columbia and spent 41 years faithfully educating its children as a classroom art teacher in the District of Columbia Public Schools system;
WHEREAS, Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel, through her dedicated, conscientious, and compassionate efforts, touched the lives of some 3,000 children of all backgrounds over her teaching career;
WHEREAS, Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel’s many students carry with them the skills, attitudes, and sayings she taught them, above all “Be creative with your mistakes.”, and still cherish the pins, bead necklaces, Native American dream-catchers, glassworks, clay bowls, and Zuni good luck charms that they made in her class;
WHEREAS, Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel on her own initiative, won numerous grants for summer travel to search the world for objects and ideas from foreign cultures to bring back to inspire her students to an understanding of other peoples and countries, including African weaving crafts and Japanese art and cookery;
WHEREAS, Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel inspired her students to help others around the world by selling their fused glass artwork to raise funds for Save the Children and Doctors Without Borders;
WHEREAS, Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel was instrumental in the Art Education Initiative and in establishing the Artist in Residence program at Watkins Elementary School, bringing her students in touch with many of the area’s leading artists;
WHEREAS, Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel’s positive, cheerful attitude constantly lifted the morale of her colleagues through such efforts as “Soup Fridays,” quietly convincing them to make soup and come together for lunch, and beautifying a dingy teacher’s lounge and even its bathroom with a table, cloth, vase, clock, and framed Matisse;
WHEREAS, Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel enriched the community artistically, participating in many activities such as the wall sculpture the “Yume Tree” on the corner of 12th and E Streets, S.E.;
WHEREAS, Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel was named Art Teacher of the Year in 2006 and was honored at the annual Mayor's Arts Awards Gala at the Kennedy Center for her outstanding performance in the classroom at Watkins Elementary School;
WHEREAS, Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel continued to give to the community after retiring by mentoring new art teachers, working as an artist-in-residence at local schools, and teaching fused glass classes in her home studio;
WHEREAS, Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel was above all revered by her colleagues, her students, and her community as a kind, giving, and compassionate friend and role model who was always willing to listen, advise, and help; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel was beloved, respected, and loved by her students, colleagues, community, her 2 children, Eric and Emily, her grandchildren, and her husband, Alan Levine.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this resolution may be cited as the “Laurie Ann Siegel Posthumous Recognition Resolution of 2013”.
Sec. 2. The Council of the District of Columbia recognizes the great contributions of Ms. Laurie Ann Siegel to the city and its residents, and expresses its deep gratitude for her life, work, and legacy in the District of Columbia.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately upon the first date of publication in the District of Columbia Register.
