[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 5 (Monday, January 31, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E29-E30]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




DR. KAREN FORYS SELECTED AS WASHINGTON STATE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JAY INSLEE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, January 31, 2000

  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to an 
outstanding educator in my

[[Page E30]]

district, Dr. Karen Forys. The Washington Association of School 
Administrators recently selected Dr. Forys, the Northshore School 
District Superintendent, as Washington State Superintendent, 2000. The 
Northshore School District is responsible for over 20,000 students in 
King and Snohomish Counties, and is the eighth largest school district 
in Washington State.
  Dr. Forys, in her sixth year at Northshore, has served as 
superintendent in the Clover Park and Riverview School Districts. She 
obtained her Ph.D. at the University of Arizona and conducted post-
gratuate work at Columbia University.
  The support that Dr. Forys receives from the teachers, parents, and 
board members is indeed inspiring. They all recognize Dr. Forys as an 
educational leader in her unwavering commitment to the students of 
Northshore. The deep level of respect and admiration can be seen in the 
Northshore School District's nomination letter. They write:

       . . . Clearly, Karen exemplifies excellence in educational 
     leadership . . . She is steadfast in providing varied 
     learning opportunities, teaching styles and career choices 
     for our students. Karen Forys personifies our District's 
     mission statement. She truly seeks to strengthen our 
     community through excellence in education.

  I am also proud that Dr. Forys was among the first to champion High 
Tech Learning Centers (HTLCs) for every high school. Thanks to Dr. 
Forys' vision, HTLCs currently prepare high school students for post-
secondary education in information technology and for careers in these 
fields. She clearly recognizes that the students of today must receive 
a high tech education in order to make them competitive in the global 
economy of the 21st century. This is particularly important for the 1st 
Congressional District, home to many exciting and innovative software, 
electronic, and biotech companies.
  I am proud to have school administrators like Dr. Forys preparing our 
students for the future, and I ask my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Dr. Forys as Washington State Superintendent, 2000.

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