[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 156 (Saturday, November 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2249-E2250]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING AUGUST F. SCORNAIENCHI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. RONALD V. DELLUMS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 7, 1997

  Mr. DELLUMS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor August Scornaienchi, the 
Alameda County Superintendent of Schools, on the occasion of his 
retirement. Mr. Scornaienchi has devoted over 36 years of service in 
public education, 24 of those in leadership positions within the 
Alameda County Office of Education. He is a visionary who has worked 
diligently at education reform before it became fashionable. This 
vision, his passion, and his leadership abilities have earned him the 
respect of not only his colleagues, but the community as well.
  Superintendent Scornaienchi has been a champion for students of 
minority and marginalized groups and has worked diligently to provide 
for their special needs. He was one of the first to develop and later 
expand an outstanding bilingual/multicultural education program which 
gained a statewide reputation as a model program. He was instrumental 
in developing educational programs for homeless children, recognizing 
the incredible hurdles that this population faces. This program 
included setting up a portable unit at a shelter in Berkeley and 
equipping it with computers and educational materials, securing grants 
to pay for tutoring programs, and conducting workshops for staff to 
learn how to better serve homeless children. He has expanded county 
office educational services to neglected and delinquent youth by 
opening four community-based school programs and an innovative ``boot 
camp'' for at-risk students in collaboration with the probation 
department. He has furthered the opportunities for pregnant and 
parenting teens by providing alternative programs, including academic 
and support services which allow students to complete their high school 
education. In addition, he was among the first superintendents in the 
county to publicly condemn homophobia in our schools and to encourage 
local schools to address the intolerance and the other complex issues 
facing this student population.
  Superintendent Scornaienchi clearly recognizes that there are many 
factors that impact upon a child's education. Under his guidance, the 
county has taken a leadership role in the areas of school safety, 
dealing with hate-motivated behavior, Healthy Kids Resources and

[[Page E2250]]

Healthy Start Programs, staff development, new teacher training, 
business-education partnerships, effective parenting, interagency 
collaboration, and using technology in the classroom.
  His work and commitment to the community does not end at the school 
door. He has chaired the Inter-agency Child and Family Policy Board, 
which is composed of all department heads from various agencies in 
Alameda County. His goal was to find ways for these various children 
and family county service providers to work together more efficiently 
and effectively by considering innovative measures such as blending 
funding streams and reducing red tape and redundant services. He also 
served as cochair of the East Bay Conversion/Base Closure Board which 
makes policy decisions that have far-reaching impact on schools and 
communities throughout the bay area.
  Superintendent Scornaienchi vociferously advocated and worked for the 
implementation of a statewide proposal to levy a surcharge on tickets 
for professional sporting events to help save school athletic programs. 
This campaign was expanded to include an assessment on performing arts 
tickets to support the arts program for homeless children. Recognizing 
the need for global interaction, he developed and administered the 
first county office student international exchange program with the 
former Soviet Union designed to promote a better understanding between 
our countries and establish invaluable communication links. There is no 
doubt that the program participants expanded their world view and 
learned important life lessons.
  I ask that my colleagues join me in commending the incredible 
dedication of this public servant. His advocacy for the welfare of 
children has brought together all segments of the community to address 
the improvement of services to all of our children. Thank you so much 
for your many years of service. I and the people of Alameda County are 
grateful to you and wish you well in this new phase of your life.

                          ____________________