[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 66 (Wednesday, May 12, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E839-E840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 UPON RETIREMENT OF DR. RONALD L. FEIST

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 12, 2004

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to express warm thanks, 
congratulations, and best wishes to Dr. Ronald L. Feist upon his 
retirement as the superintendent of the Eureka Union School District, 
in Placer County, CA. Ron has done an outstanding job and deserves the 
appreciation of students, parents, and the general public in the 
community he has served so well for 22 years.
  Ron grew up on a farm in Minnesota, where almost no one in his family 
had previously attended college and most only completed the eighth 
grade before turning to farming. However, following the example and 
encouragement of many fine teachers and coaches, Ron opted to set a new 
precedent for his family by accepting an academic scholarship and 
competing in basketball at the college level.
  In 1965, Ron earned a bachelor of arts degree in Chemistry/Physics 
from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Four years later, he 
completed a master of arts degree in the same field from Fisk 
University in Nashville, TN. Subsequently, he earned an Administrative 
Credential from California State University, Fullerton, in 1972 and a 
Doctorate of Education in Education Administration from Nova University 
in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 1978.
  Ron stayed the course by becoming a coach and science teacher 
himself, first in his native State, then in Glendora, CA, before 
accepting administrative duties at Pamona Unified School District and 
Napa Valley School District. Then in 1977, he came to South Placer 
County as the principal of Oakmont High School.
  In 1982, Ron launched his 22-year tenure as the superintendent of the 
Eureka Union School District. When he took over, the district

[[Page E840]]

had only two and a half schools, 1,100 students, and negative finances. 
Today, as a result of his leadership, it boasts nine highly acclaimed 
schools, 4,250 students, and a sound financial condition, despite the 
difficult challenges facing state and local governments in California. 
Moreover, student achievement, as measured in test scores and parent 
satisfaction, is very high. I think it is also remarkable to note that, 
while heading such a successful district, Ron continued to teach school 
finance and law part-time at the University of LaVerne from 1988 
through 2001.
  Mr. Speaker, several prestigious honors have highlighted Dr. Feist's 
38-year career as an educator. For example, he was the Napa County 
Teacher of the Year in 1974-75; in 1988, he was named the Placer County 
Distinguished School Administrator; in 1990-91, he was recognized as 
the Placer County Administrator of the Year; and in 2001-02, he was 
named Region 2 Superintendent of the Year. He also received the Napa 
Parent Teacher Association Distinguished Service Award in 1977 and the 
Oakmont Parents Club Outstanding Service Award in 1980.
  Ron functions as the vice president of the Nevada/Placer County 
School Insurance Board and on the Placer/Nevada County Special 
Education Executive Committee. Additionally, he represented ten 
counties in Northern California for two years on the State 
Superintendency Committee of the Association of California School 
Administrators.
  Mr. Speaker, beyond his role with the school district, Ron has been 
an invaluable member of the local community, having served on many 
boards and committees. He is the past president of the Granite Bay 
Chamber of Commerce, Roseville and Granite Bay Kiwanis Clubs, and 
Sierra Family Services, as well as past chairman of the Granite Bay 
Municipal Advisory Committee.
  However, despite all the acclaim he has received professionally and 
civiclly, Ron's greatest success has occurred in the home. He and his 
wife of 42 years, Diane, raised three children Troy, Amy, and Heidi. In 
retirement, Ron looks forward to spending more time with his family, 
especially his nine grandchildren--Alexa, Hunter, Bryce, Jordan, 
Brennan, Hannah, Whitney, Devin, and Baron.
  Ron will also have more time now to dedicate to his many interests, 
including golf, traveling, reading, cardio-training, and weight 
lifting. Nevertheless, it will be hard to keep him away from public 
education completely. He plans to do some consulting for school 
districts in the areas of finance and facilities.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the many people whom he has touched over 
the years, I thank Dr. Ron Feist for his service and wish him well in 
his future endeavors.

                          ____________________