[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 53 (Thursday, April 22, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E614]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. C. DOUGLAS PARKS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARK STEVEN KIRK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 2004

  Mr. KIRK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate Dr. C. Douglas 
Parks on his retirement from the Aptaskistic-Tripp School District 102 
in Buffalo Grove, Illinois. After thirteen years as Superintendent and 
nearly forty years in public education, Dr. Parks is retiring, 
committed in both belief and practice to that idea that all children 
can learn. The vision and leadership he has provided ensure that School 
District 102 is and will continue to be a world class learning 
environment.
  During Dr. Parks' tenure, he worked to expand opportunities for 
learning for all children, believing that every student should have a 
supportive environment, every student should be involved both 
individually and collectively in learning, and that every student can 
be empowered through learning. He has remained committed to developing 
a foundation of respect, pursuit of excellence, accountability, 
fairness, trustworthiness and honesty in his district. Besides applying 
these principles to academics, he is also committed to improving the 
quality of life for his students, because he believes that the learning 
environment has no boundaries.
  I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Parks for being such a 
positive influence in District 102, and wish him all the best in his 
future endeavors.

                          ____________________