[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 91 (Friday, July 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    IN HONOR OF DR. EARL J. LENNARD

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM DAVIS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 30, 2005

  Mr. DAVIS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of Dr. Earl J. 
Lennard, who after 41 years of service to Florida's schools, students 
and teachers, is retiring today from his position as Superintendent of 
Hillsborough County School District. In his nine years leading one of 
our nation's largest school districts, Earl loyally and skillfully 
shepherded Hillsborough schools through a time of unprecedented change.
  When Earl graduated from the University of South Florida, he started 
teaching elementary school to save money to go to law school. 
Fortunately for us, Earl immediately fell in love with teaching and the 
opportunity it gave him to help kids. Always known for his strong 
rapport with students, Earl taught for 15 years before he moved into 
administration and rapidly ascended through the ranks, improving the 
school system as he progressed.
  In 1996, after only six months as deputy superintendent for schools, 
Earl was promoted to superintendent. Most anyone would have been 
daunted by the challenges he faced--rapidly growing student populations 
with ever tightening budgets--but Earl went straight to work and soon 
became one of Florida's most respected superintendents.
  During his tenure, Hillsborough schools gained nearly 49,000 
students. Earl oversaw the design, construction and renovation of more 
than 60 schools, and thanks to these efforts, double sessions were 
eliminated and the number of portable classrooms was cut in half.
  Earl is a tireless advocate for our schools, and even in the face of 
political pressures, he always had the courage to openly and honestly 
speak out for students and teachers. Those who had the privilege to 
work with him know him to be loyal, kind and always friendly. I 
consider it an honor to call Earl my friend and I have always 
appreciated his thoughtful counsel on education issues as I have served 
in the Florida Legislature and in Congress.
  On behalf of the Tampa Bay community, I would like to extend my 
deepest appreciation to Earl for his lifetime of service and wish him 
the best of luck in all his future endeavors.

                          ____________________