[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 45 (Friday, April 15, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF TEXAS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION MEMBER JOE 
                                 BERNAL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HENRY CUELLAR

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 14, 2005

  Mr. CUELLAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the many 
accomplishments of Texas State Board of Education Member Joe Bernal.
  Mr. Bernal is a proud product of the Texas educational system. He 
received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University, his 
Master of Arts degree from Our Lady of the Lake University, and his 
doctorate from the University of Texas at Austin.
  He has amassed a distinguished record in service to his country and 
his state. He is a WorId War II veteran who served in the Philippines 
and Japan. Altogether, Mr. Bernal has more than 50 years experience in 
education and government service, including time spent as a social 
worker, a classroom teacher, a principal, an assistant superintendent, 
a Texas state representative, and a state senator.
  During his legislative career, Mr. Bernal was a tireless advocate for 
education and civil rights. He championed bills that created free 
statewide kindergarten for needy five-year-olds, established the 
University of Texas at Austin, authorized the state's first minimum 
wage law, and expunged from the state statute all laws supporting 
racial segregation.
  He now serves the people of Texas as a Member of the State Board of 
Education, a position he has held with distinction for seven years. Joe 
Bernal has had an extraordinary career, and his state is immeasurably 
better off because of all he has done. He is an example to all of us, 
and I am honored to have the chance to recognize him here today.

                          ____________________