[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 45 (Friday, April 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E655]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E655]]


      RECOGNIZING THE CAREER AND RETIREMENT OF DR. JAMES ROSBORG, 
      SUPERINTENDENT OF BELLEVILLE, ILLINOIS SCHOOL DISTRICT #118

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2005

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing the career and retirement of Dr. James Rosborg, 
``Superintendent of Belleville School District #118.
  Dr. Rosborg has devoted 33 years to the education of our youth, 
serving as a teacher, coach, guidance counselor, principal, assistant 
superintendent and superintendent. He has been the superintendent of 
Belleville District #118 for the past 11 years. During that time, Dr. 
Rosborg has achieved recognition at both the state and national level 
for his leadership and hands-on involvement in the success of the 
students in his district. Typically, Dr. Rosborg has credited the 
faculty, staff and parents for the high level of student achievement 
and it has been the collaboration of these groups, along with community 
leaders, that has been a cornerstone of Dr. Rosborg's success.
  Belleville School District #118 consists of eight elementary schools, 
two junior high schools and one early childhood facility, with a total 
enrollment of approximately 3700 students. In spite of a high 
percentage of low-income students, compared to state averages, the 
district has won numerous awards for high achievement. These awards 
include Golden Spike Awards, State and National Blue Ribbon School 
Awards, the national AFT-Saturn/UAW Collaboration Award and Illinois 
Spotlight School Awards.
  In addition to these awards for the District, Dr. Rosborg has been 
the recipient of the Illinois Master Teacher Award, the Illinois State 
Board of Education ``Those Who Excel'' Award, the Illinois State Board 
of Education ``Break the Mold'' Award and the Boy Scouts of America 
Russell C. Hill Award for outstanding contribution to character 
education. Last year, Dr. Rosborg was named the 2004 Illinois School 
Superintendent of the Year.
  Dr. Rosborg's service extends beyond District #118 while, at the same 
time, he still enjoys meeting individually with the students of his 
district. He has served as an adjunct college professor at both St. 
Louis University and Lindenwood University. He has served as President 
of the Illinois statewide Elementary District Organization and as a 
member of the Board of Directors of the Illinois Association of School 
Administrators. Dr. Rosborg is the Illinois superintendent 
representative on the State Superintendent's Testing Task Force, which 
is dealing with the federal ``No Child Left Behind'' legislation and 
its impact on state testing in Illinois.
  According to Dr. Rosborg, the bottom line of success in any district 
rests with the individual teachers in the classrooms. He has the 
highest regard for educators as professionals and believes that the 
main goal for administrators should be to foster an environment where 
teachers can maximize the educational achievement of each student.
  Dr. Rosborg is a product of Illinois education. After graduating from 
Hoopeston High School in Hoopeston, Illinois, he received his 
undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale 
and both his masters and doctorate degrees from Southern Illinois 
University at Edwardsville.
  Dr. Rosborg and his wife, Nancy, have three children; Mike, a civil 
engineer, and his wife Wendy; Kyle, employed by LaSalle Bank in 
Chicago; and Carol, a senior in accounting at the University of 
Illinois.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in an expression of 
appreciation to Dr. James Rosborg for his years of dedicated service to 
education and to wish him and his family the very best in the future.

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