[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 92 (Monday, July 11, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1456]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO LINDA GRAHAM WARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 11, 2005

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
Linda Graham Ward, who retired on June 17,2005 after thirty three years 
as a teacher in the Ocean View School District of Huntington Beach, 
California.
  Linda G. Ward is a fantastic teacher who truly cares for her 
students. She has dedicated her 33 years of teaching to improving the 
quality of life of her students by teaching them Fitness for Life. Her 
greatest career achievements include not only saving the lives of 
several students, but teaching students how to live healthier lives 
through physical fitness. She inspired her students to go on to become 
Olympians, professional athletes, and teachers.
  Linda was born and raised in EI Centro, California. Her love of 
learning lead her to the University of Southern California where she 
earned her teaching credential in 1972. That fall she began her long 
career with the Ocean View School District teaching Physical Education 
and Science. Her. campus assignments took her to the Rancho View 
School, the Vista View Middle School and the Spring View Middle School. 
She kept learning as well and earned a master's degree in kinesiology 
in 1973.
  At each campus she served as a teacher, coach and mentor to her 
students. She coached volleyball, basketball, track, cross country, 
softball and soccer. She was the Mentor Teacher for Ocean View School 
District Physical Education Program and Developed and implemented the 
Ocean View School District's Physical Fitness Program for Grades 6, 7 
and 8. Linda went above and beyond the normal teaching role to inspire 
her students to live a fit and healthy lifestyle. She created the Ocean 
View School District's Physical Fitness Awards Program based on Olympic 
Games model to recognize students' achievements and implemented the 
California Fitness Testing Program in Ocean View School District.
  She made remarkable strides in improving the health of her students 
by becoming a CPR Instructor for the Ocean View School District and 
teaching students and employees how to save lives. Linda also served as 
Physical Education expert and advisor to Orange County Grand Jury 
investigation regarding childhood obesity. She also wrote, obtained and 
expended PEP grant funds in the amount of $472,000 to implement the 
SPARK Program for physical fitness in her district. For her efforts 
Linda was named the Most Inspirational Teacher in the Ocean View School 
District, an award she certainly deserves.
  For over three decades Linda G. Ward has been educating and 
motivating the young people of Southern California. She has indeed made 
a positive difference in thousands of lives and earned my many thanks. 
I wish her all the best in her future endeavors.

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