[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF UNITED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD 
                        PRESIDENT JOHN M. BRUCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 9, 2005

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the important 
contribution of United Independent School District Board of Trustees 
President John Bruce in Laredo, TX in my Congressional District.
  John Bruce is the President of the U.I.S.D. Board of Trustees. Bruce 
decided to make a run for elected office because he did not agree with 
some of the decisions the Board was making. Armed with that motivation, 
he ran for and was elected to the board in May 2002. ``It's been a 
challenging and interesting experience,'' Bruce said. ``I've met a lot 
of fine people.''
  John Bruce is the Director of the Laredo Job Corps, an education 
training facility. As Center Director of Laredo Job Corps, Bruce 
oversees an organization with an annual budget of $5,500,000. Bruce is 
also a certified commissioned peace officer and a licensed law 
enforcement instructor. He is a certified k-9 trainer, a member of the 
Sheriff's Department SWAT team, and is a former Special Forces 
Operations officer in the U.S. Army Reserve.
  Bruce ran on the platform of safety in our schools. He initiated the 
K-9 Patrol Program in UISD to help curtail drug and gang activity at 
district campuses. Job Corps recently donated two K-9s, which saved the 
district nearly $12,000.
  Bruce has a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and history from 
Texas A & I University in Kingsville. He is also a licensed customs 
broker. Bruce has held numerous positions in several civic and 
community organizations. He was a member of the 2001 UISD Blue Ribbon 
Committee, he was vice president of the United High School Booster 
Club, and Bruce also serves as an advisor to Explorer Post 437. He is a 
member of the Laredo Masonic Lodge, the Laredo Shriners, and the Elks 
Lodge.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have this opportunity to recognize United 
Independent School District Board President John M. Bruce.

                          ____________________