[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 75 (Thursday, June 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1117]]
                     TRIBUTE TO DR. IAN KIRKPATRICK

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. FRANK RIGGS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 11, 1998

  Mr. RIGGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to applaud the distinguished 
career of Dr. Ian Kirkpatrick. On June 30, 1998, Dr. Kirkpatrick will 
be retiring from the Windsor Unified School District after 29 years of 
service to public education. During this time of service Dr. 
Kirkpatrick has had a tremendous positive impact as a social studies 
teacher, cross country, basketball and track coach, principal, and 
superintendent.
  In 1993, Dr. Kirkpatrick took the reins as the first Superintendent 
of the newly formed Windsor Unified School District. As Superintendent, 
Dr. Kirkpatrick has seen the district grow from a K-8 district of 2,000 
students to a district that now teaches 3,225 students, grades K-11. 
Through this growth there became a need for more school facilities. 
Working with the community, Dr. Kirkpatrick raised the money to build 
Windsor Middle School, a new kindergarten classroom, a multi-use 
building, and begin construction on the new Windsor High School which 
will be opening this Fall. Almost all of these projects were 
constructed while the State of California was in a budget crisis and 
many districts throughout the state were cutting back on classroom 
resources and facilities.
  Civic duty appears to be something that has come natural to Dr. 
Kirkpatrick. Before entering the field of public education, he attended 
the Naval Officer Candidate School and became a Navy officer. He served 
four years as a destroyer officer and completed two tours of duty in 
Vietnam. After being discharged from active duty, he remained in the 
Naval Reserve until 1989, when he retired with the rank of Commander.
  Throughout his career, Dr. Kirkpatrick has been supported by his 
wife, Diane and their two children, Ian and Deanna. Diane, an 
administrator with the Tamalpais High School District will also be 
retiring at the end of the year. The two plan to travel and spend time 
pursuing their hobbies, snow skiing and wind surfing.
  Mr. Speaker, the efforts of Dr. Ian Kirkpatrick, as an educator and 
community leader, should be held up as a model for others. For it is 
hard working and dedicated individuals like him who make up the 
backbone of this nation. His leadership will be missed by many, both 
inside and outside the school district.

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