[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 153 (Tuesday, October 28, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2135]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING DEANNA ESPINA, SAN LORENZO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NATIVE 
                   AMERICAN INDIAN PROGRAM SPECIALIST

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 28, 2003

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Deanna Espina, 
who recently retired from the San Lorenzo Unified School District. 
Deanna will be honored at a reception and I join her friends and 
associates in thanking her for her many years of contributions.
  Deanna began her 29 year career with the San Lorenzo Unified School 
District on October 14, 1974, as a community Relations Aide. After a 
few years, her classification was changed to Native American Indian 
Program Specialist assigned to Educational Services.
  She has supervised various programs and also teaches youngsters about 
the Native American culture. She was always seeking innovative 
instructional strategies for students as evidenced by the Star-Lab 
lesson. The numerous hours spent preparing, organizing and coordinating 
the Star-Lab presentation for hundreds of students contributed to the 
Star-Lab Program's success.
  With the San Lorenzo School District's support, Deanna has developed 
and advanced the Indian Education Program in the San Lorenzo schools in 
a commendable way. The Alameda County Office of Education has 
recognized her for the outstanding work she has done in meeting the 
needs of Native American students. She has played a significant role by 
providing leadership to sustain and foster a Native American Program 
that continually has value for students and the community.
  Over 29,000 students, parents and teachers have participated in the 
Native American Museum, established in the San Lorenzo School District, 
due to the efforts of Deanna. The museum's presentations focus on many 
Native American cultures with emphasis on California's indigenous 
people. The school district's Native American program has been 
recognized at the federal, state and local levels and is a model for 
other Native American Programs in the United States.
  Deanna's leadership, her knowledge of her projects, her enthusiasm, 
and commitment to the community through the years are exemplary. She 
has brought Native American Indian Education to the forefront and I 
applaud her outstanding contributions to education.

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