[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 23 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E349]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF UNITED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD 
                         MEMBER RICARDO MOLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 2005

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the important 
contributions of United Independent School District Board Member 
Ricardo Molina in Laredo, TX, in my Congressional District.
  Ricardo Molina is a Laredo native and Parliamentarian of the United 
I.S.D. Board of Trustees. He believes serving on the Board involves 
keeping in mind the interests of the people in the community. ``You 
have to look out for the taxpayers, students, and the people you 
serve.'' Molina's district is composed of the communities of Rio Bravo 
and El Cenizo.
  Molina identifies with students of modest means who struggle for 
success. In his younger days, Molina was a member of his high school's 
chapter of the Distributive Education Club of America. ``I know what 
hard work is. To succeed you have to make the best of your situation.'' 
Throughout his life Molina has worked in a variety of jobs. He has 
labored in oil fields, machine shops, and as a field hand picking 
cotton. Molina is the Director of the Rio Bravo and El Cenizo Community 
Centers.
  As a Trustee, Molina helped initiate the district's dropout recovery 
program. The program allows students who have left school to pursue a 
General Equivalency Diploma. Molina also knows the importance of 
providing educational opportunities for adults. He worked for the 
establishment of GED and adult education programs in his community.
  Molina says he joined the Board because he wanted to do something for 
the community. ``We on the Board are like a family. We look out for the 
best opportunities for kids.'' Molina says United ISD has seen numerous 
changes in the last few years. ``We've seen better curriculum, an 
improvement in our bilingual education program, and lower dropout and 
teen pregnancy rates.'' Molina says the schools in his area are good 
facilities that are well built. ``We've been able to add new wings and 
cafeterias to our many schools.'' He adds, ``UISD is doing a great job 
of educating our children.'' He is particularly proud of the many 
accomplishments made by the schools in the south, especially all the 
great things happening at United South Magnet School. Molina says, ``I 
will continue to work for the children and taxpayers of United ISD. 
Nothing is too good for the kids. I wish I could do more.''
  Molina, working with other board members, has been able to implement 
many positive changes for the benefit of children, parents, and 
taxpayers. These changes include increased security at elementary 
campuses and fighting the increase of gang involvement at schools. Gang 
Intervention Facilitators have been placed in high schools and their 
respective feeder campuses. Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselors 
have been hired to fight drug use by students. Zero tolerance policies 
and the establishment of k-9 patrols help keep schools drug free.
  In addition, one-third of the UISD school bus fleet has been replaced 
with new school busses. Two-thirds of the school bus fleet has been 
retrofitted with air conditioning. The second phase of construction has 
been started at L.B. Johnson High School. There will be additions to 
Alexander and United South High Schools. A replacement building for 
United High School will be built and a new middle school will be 
constructed to relieve overcrowding at Los Obispos Middle School.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have this opportunity to recognize United 
Independent School District Board Member Ricardo Molina.

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