[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 26 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E285]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF ORVIL JONES' RETIREMENT FROM HIGHLAND PARK HIGH 
                                 SCHOOL

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                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2004

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to make my tribute to Orvil Jones 
of Highland Park High School on the occasion of his retirement. I have 
the pleasure of representing Highland Park High School in Congress, and 
I am proud to have four alums from Highland Park High School on my 
staff, and two of them that played football under Coach Jones.
  Coach Jones has been a fixture at Highland Park High School for 36 
years, and he will be leaving behind a great legacy of service to his 
students and players. Jones started his career with the Highland Park 
Independent School District (HPISD) in 1968 as a mathematics teacher 
and coach at Highland Park Junior High. When ninth grade was moved into 
the high school within the HPISD, Coach Jones joined the faculty of 
Highland Park High School in 1970 and has been coaching and teaching 
there ever since.
  During his tenure with Highland Park High School, Coach Jones worked 
under seven head coaches, eleven principals, and four school 
superintendents. His day in and day out work ethic will be greatly 
missed by his fellow coaches and the players that he instructs.
  Highland Park's football team has historically been one of the best 
programs in the State. Highland Park ranks fourth in the State for all-
time victories with 637 and is fifth in all-time playoff victories with 
62.
  Most recently, Coach Jones coached the defensive secondary for 
Highland Park's varsity football team, and his players considered him 
to be the hardest working coach on the staff. Coach Jones taught his 
players that, whether or not they are blessed with the most natural 
talent, they can succeed by working harder than their competition. 
Coach Jones provided the perfect example of hard work by always being 
the first coach to have his players in the film room or on the field 
and by working with his players on the field even after the other 
coaches and players had retired to the locker room.
  While Coach Jones has made a lasting impact on thousands of students 
and players, his family has been the center of his attention. I 
congratulate the Jones family, his loving wife Elaine and their three 
children and two grandchildren, on this momentous occasion.
   I commend Coach Jones on his proud career of service that spans five 
decades within HPISD, and I wish him and his family all the best for a 
nice start to a well-deserved retirement.

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