[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 12 (Wednesday, February 9, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   THE RETIREMENT OF VICTOR POOLE FROM THE ALABAMA BOARD OF EDUCATION

  Mr. HEFLIN. Madam President, Victor Poole, the senior member of the 
Alabama State Board of Education, announced in December that he will 
not be a candidate for reelection this year. Victor is known throughout 
the State as a tenacious advocate for his constituents in district 7 
and for the overall best interests of the students enrolled in public 
schools and their teachers. He has been a true leader in the field of 
education during his 10 terms on the board, committed totally to 
improving Alabama's public schools.
  I wish Victor every success as he finishes his current term on the 
board, and extend my congratulations for a job well done. I ask 
unanimous consent that an article announcing Victor's retirement from 
the board of education which appeared in the December 10, 1993, edition 
of the Florence, AL TimesDaily be printed in the Record at this point.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                  [From the TimesDaily, Dec. 10, 1993]

                     Poole Retiring After 10 Terms

                      (By Lisa Singleton-Rickman)

       Victor Poole, the senior member of the state board of 
     education, will not seek re-election in 1994.
       ``It's time to start making some retirement plans'' after 
     serving 10 terms on the board, he said.
       Poole, 62, who represents District 7 on the board, is 
     chairman of the Bank of Moundville and is known across the 
     state for standing up to challenges and creating a few of his 
     own.
       ``I prefer to think of my job on the school board as to 
     keep projects ongoing,'' Poole said. ``I always had a project 
     of some type going, and usually they were 10-year projects 
     such as building vocational schools or test-score 
     improvements. Now I don't have any projects, and I just think 
     this would be a good time to bring new people in with 
     (education reform) happening now.''
       Perhaps Poole is equally known for his trademark 
     catchphrases and terminology.
       In a telephone interview with the Times Daily on Thursday, 
     he once again proved true to his reputation when he 
     summarized his retirement as ``a situation where my garden is 
     grassy.''
       Poole said the thing he'll miss most about working on the 
     school board is the association with people.
       ``It's going to be hard for me to not be a part of that 
     board, because it's been my life all these years,'' Poole 
     said. ``But I don't think anybody is indispensable. As we say 
     around here, the monkey don't stop the show.''
       He said he appreciates the support he has had from his 
     constituents in his district as well as his opponents in 
     previous elections. ``That shows there is great concern and 
     interest in education.''
       In the 1990 election Poole's opposition, Earl Gardner of 
     Florence, ran a close race and once again plans to seek the 
     District 7 seat, which will represent the largest district in 
     the state with 12 counties instead of 10.
       ``Mr. Poole was a very tough competitor in the last 
     campaign, and this (election) will be much different because 
     there won't be an incumbent,'' Gardner said. ``Anytime 
     there's no incumbent, there's no record to attack. I didn't 
     do that in the last election, but even if he was running it 
     wouldn't happen this time, either.''
       Poole has not shied from controversial issues during his 
     time on the school board. Gardner, a University of North 
     Alabama official, said that legacy will continue if he is 
     elected.
       ``With the status of education reform now, I wouldn't think 
     this would be a position for anyone who was worried about 
     heated discussions,'' Gardner said.
       ``This would be one of the most exciting times I can think 
     of to be there.''
       Poole said that, all in all, he feels good about leaving 
     the post at this time because he's done his best to further 
     education in the state.
       ``I've had opposition seven times and won seven times, so 
     that tells me folks in the district have a good feeling about 
     my years of service.''
       Poole would not elaborate on how he will fill the time he 
     customarily spends traveling around the state visiting 
     various schools and educators.
       ``But he said he will always stay abreast of what's 
     happening in education because ``education is obviously very 
     near and dear to my heart.''

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