[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 23 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E355]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF UNITED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD 
                         MEMBER WILLIAM JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           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 
contribution of United Independent School District Board Member William 
(Bill) Johnson of my Congressional District.
  The experience of being on a school board has taught Bill Johnson 
several things. ``Everyone runs with the idea that `I' can make a 
difference. But if you're only one vote out of seven it's not going to 
work. Being on the board has to be a team effort.'' Johnson says each 
board member brings a different view of education. ``A successful board 
can harness its members and get them to pull in one direction.''
  Johnson has always been interested in education. He has taught 
banking and finance courses at the Laredo Community College and, for 
the last 10 years, he has taught business through Junior Achievement at 
United High School. ``I like being around educators and kids,'' Johnson 
said. In addition, he has served as a little league coach since 1981. 
``It's a tough job, but I enjoy it.''
  Johnson, a native of Laredo, has a wife and three children. He 
graduated from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor's degree in 
political science. He is a first vice-president at Laredo National 
Bank.
  Overall, Johnson says his experience on the board has been positive. 
``It's been a good opportunity. You have to work with a lot of 
different people but it has taught me a lot.'' One of the lessons 
Johnson has learned is that being on the board takes a lot of 
preparation. With the thousands of pages of memos and reports that need 
to be looked at, Johnson says the board has to make time to study. 
``When I first joined the board I figured all I had to do was go to 
about 24 meetings a year.'' In his first year Johnson had to attend 172 
meetings.
  ``You quickly learn that you need at least four votes to get anything 
done.'' According to Johnson, the current United ISD school board may 
not always agree on everything, but they know how to work well 
together. The district has several Exemplary and Recognized campuses, 
whereas before there were none. The district also earned praise from 
former comptroller John Sharp for saving taxpayers millions of dollars.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have this opportunity to recognize the 
dedication of United Independent School District Board Member William 
Johnson.

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