[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 88 (Thursday, June 27, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING DR. WALTER L. BUSTER, Ed.D.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 26, 2002

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Walter Buster 
upon his retirement as Superintendent of Clovis Unified School 
District. Dr. Buster was honored at a dinner among his colleagues, 
friends, and family.
  Dr. Buster has dedicated his life to education and has served many 
communities throughout California. Walter's colleagues agree, 
regardless of his position, he contributes vision, leadership, and 
ingenuity to his team. He has orchestrated many programs in the Clovis 
Unified School District in the seven years he has been there. Four of 
his top programs illustrate his unique ability to visualize current 
needs with respect for the future. He implemented ``Laptops for 
Learners,'' a joint venture with Microsoft and Toshiba to supply all 
students with laptops to perform their daily classroom activities. Dr. 
Buster saw another of his visions come to fruition with the development 
of the Center for Advanced Research and Technology. The center will 
provide up to 1,800 11th and 12th grade students with advanced project-
based training in 12 different technology based laboratory 
environments. Walter realizes the importance of reading to students, 
and put into action yet another program, called ``Community of 
Readers.'' Volunteers from the community dedicate one hour per week to 
read with the students. Always keeping in mind the importance of being 
an influential citizen within the community, Dr. Buster started 
``Character Counts!'' a program that teaches students six core 
principles: responsibility, respect, fairness, caring, citizenship, and 
trustworthiness.
  Dr. Buster's contributions to the Clovis education system are 
obvious, but he has also made a tremendous impact on the community. He 
serves on many state and local education and business committees. The 
State Board of Education recently appointed Dr. Buster to the WestEd 
Board of Directors, a non-profit research, development and service 
agency dedicated to improving education and other opportunities for 
children, youth and adults.

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