[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 70 (Tuesday, May 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E898]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF DR. CAROLYN G. BUKHAIR'S RETIREMENT FROM THE RICHARDSON 
                      INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

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                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 2004

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to 
Carolyn G. Bukhair, Ed.D., in honor of her retirement from the 
Richardson Independent School District. Dr. Bukhair is leaving her post 
as the Superintendent after serving 36 years as an educator and 28 
years with Richardson I.S.D.
  Not only admired by her own district, she commands the respect of her 
peers throughout the state. In 1999 she was distinguished as the Texas 
Association of School Librarians' Administrator of the Year. She also 
was the Region 10 Superintendent of the Year for 1999, and was one of 
five finalists for the State Superintendent of the Year award in both 
1999 and 2003.
  Dr. Bukhair has left her impression on the school district that she 
has so ably served. In recognition for her continued efforts, the RISD 
Board of Trustees voted to name the district's newest elementary school 
as `Carolyn G. Bukhair Elementary'. Dr. Bukhair presided over many 
years of improvement and progress for the district. Under her 
leadership, the district maintained a 22:1 student/teacher ratio in 
grades k-4 for six consecutive years. It is so critical to provide in-
depth and personal attention to our younger students, and by 
maintaining small class sizes; the Richardson I.S.D. has been able to 
better accomplish that mission. Small class sizes alone will not 
increase the education for students, however, when coupled with 
accountability in the classroom, our children greatly benefit. Dr. 
Bukhair instituted a strong accountability model based on continuous 
improvement of student performance and achievement.
  I have had the honor and privilege of working with Dr. Bukhair over 
the last several years, and I will greatly miss her at the helm of 
Richardson I.S.D. I wish her, and her family, all the very best as she 
retires from Richardson I.S.D.

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