[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 43 (Wednesday, March 28, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E467]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 HONORING MR. JOHN YOUNGER OF NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE ON THE OCCASION OF 
                             HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB CLEMENT

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 28, 2001

  Mr. CLEMENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. John Younger of 
Nashville, Tennessee, on the occasion of his retirement. John Younger's 
thirty-year career in education has fittingly culminated in his most 
recent position as headmaster at Franklin Road Academy (FRA). Younger 
has risen to the top of his profession both in the public and private 
school systems.
  John Younger is well respected by his peers and former students as a 
master educator. In fact, Mr. Younger taught me as a student at 
Hillsboro High School. We've been privileged to work together over the 
years in many capacities. I consider him a good friend and mentor.
  Younger earned a B.S. degree from Middle Tennessee State University 
(MTSU) and a Master's of Mathematics and Educational Administration 
from George Peabody College. He is the Chairman of the Board of the 
Tennessee Teachers Credit Union and also chairs the Personnel Committee 
at Christ Episcopal Church.
  Mr. Younger is a familiar face to students in Nashville. Beginning at 
the teaching level, he spent a number of years as an educator in the 
Davidson County Metropolitan School System teaching mathematics at both 
Hillsboro and Issac Litton High Schools, as well as coaching football, 
basketball and track.
  His move to the administrative level came in 1965, when he was named 
assistant principal for Highland Heights Junior High School. In 1967 he 
became principal at Bellevue High School overseeing more than 750 
seventh through twelfth grade students.
  Due to his outstanding performances, Younger was recruited for the 
``central office'' at Metro Schools, where he initially served as 
Supervisor of Mathematics. In this position, he developed the math 
curriculum, selected textbooks, assigned teachers, and coordinated 
staff development for the entire Metro School System.
  Continuing with Metro Schools, Younger was named Director of Employer 
Relations, where he negotiated for all employees in the school system, 
developed personnel policies, and resolved grievances. In 1978, Younger 
became the Assistant Superintendent for Business Services where he was 
responsible for all business and financial activities of Metro Schools. 
Again climbing in Metro Schools, he was named Assistant Superintendent 
for Administrative Services, accountable for school programs involving 
67,000 students before retiring from the public school system.
  However, Younger returned to education when approached by the Board 
of Trustees at FRA in 1994 to become the Director of Business and 
Finance. Soon after making the transition to Franklin Road Academy 
(FRA) he was asked to spearhead an effort to construct a new middle 
school and fine arts center. His time at FRA has proven extremely 
fruitful and produced much growth.
  Further, he has been active in civic and community organizations, 
serving on the boards of the PENCIL Foundation, the American Heart 
Association, the East Nashville YMCA, and the Old Hickory Country Club. 
Additionally, he is past president of the Tennessee Association of 
School Business Officials.
  John Younger has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to 
the educational field numerous times by his peers. These awards 
include: Tennessee's Outstanding Achievement Award from Governor Ned 
Ray McWherter in 1992; Educational Administrator of the Year for 
Metropolitan Nashville Schools; Distinguished Service Award and Life 
Membership Award from the Tennessee Association of School Business 
Officials; and Distinguished Member Award from the Southeastern 
Association of School Business Officials.
  Younger's wife Jessica is a teacher with experience in both public 
and private schools throughout Middle Tennessee. They have one 
daughter, Mary Clare, of Knoxville.
  Although John Younger is a man of stature in the community, he is 
never too busy to stop and listen to students or serve those around 
him. His life is a true success story--one of joy, humility, faith, 
friendship, and truth. I wish him the best in his retirement and all of 
his future endeavors.

                          ____________________