[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 80 (Wednesday, June 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1081]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO FRANCISCO SALDIVAR

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SOLOMON P. ORTIZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 9, 2004

  Mr. ORTIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a unique 
American patriot, Francisco Saldivar, a man who, after having spent 
over 40 years with the Brownsville Independent School District, has 
recently retired as principal of Yturria Elementary School.
  Mr. Saldivar comes from an educator's background. His mother, a 
teacher from Mexico, helped make an early impression on his life-long 
desire to educate and give back to the community. To this end, Mr. 
Saldivar has served in a number of roles and duties within the school 
district, from teacher to administrator.
  Mr. Saldivar spent over 12 years teaching fourth grade before 
becoming an assistant principal at Victoria Heights Elementary. Since 
then, he has also served as an assistant director of adult education as 
well as the principal of several elementary schools, most recently with 
Yturria.
  With each new role he took on, Mr. Saldivar invariably displayed his 
selfless dedication to providing a well-rounded and worthwhile 
education. Indeed, as principal of Yturria Elementary, Mr. Saldivar 
still managed to take the time to help ease the transition of transfer 
students.
  And after 6 years as principal of Yturria, Mr. Saldivar is finally 
retiring; and while he will certainly miss his old position, we will 
miss his commitment to our children's education even more.
  There is no question that the education of our young people 
constitutes an important priority in our society. Education does more 
than simply impart knowledge; it prepares our children for the 
challenges they will meet in adulthood. Mr. Saldivar has worked with 
children for nearly half a century; he knows the problems they face, 
and has actively worked to alleviate them.
  Our Nation is strengthened by dedication of educators like Mr. 
Saldivar in our school systems. The origins for our Nation's future 
will always lie within our youngest generations.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in commending Principal Francisco 
Saldivar, for his indelible influence over the young minds in the 
Valley. His legacy is in the bright young minds he touched and shaped. 
We wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.

                          ____________________