[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 100 (Wednesday, July 26, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1539]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. PETER G. MEHAS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 26, 2006

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a friend and a 
great leader in my community back home. Dr. Peter G. Mehas is retiring 
after 44 years in education as Superintendent of the Fresno County 
Schools. Dr. Mehas dedicated his life to ensuring our children thrive 
both in and out of the classroom. As an educator, administrator, public 
servant, community leader, father, husband, and grandfather, Dr. Mehas 
gives nothing less than his absolute best.
  A small glimpse into the long list of Dr. Mehas's achievements 
reveals his unwavering dedication to education. Not often enough are 
educators recognized for their unselfish devotion to bettering the 
future of California's children. These teachers and administrators put 
in countless hours at school, at home and on their weekends. They 
deserve our greatest respect and gratitude for their efforts.
  Throughout his distinguished career Dr. Mehas served as an instructor 
at Roosevelt High School and taught at Edison High School before moving 
to Clovis Unified School District. He worked his way up from assistant 
principal at Clovis High to principal, then assistant superintendent 
and finally associate superintendent.
  From 1984 to 1987, Mehas established and served as the legislative 
advocate in Sacramento and Washington, DC, for the State Center 
Community College District, Fresno County and Modoc County Offices of 
Education and a consortium of 36 school districts throughout Central 
California.
  In 1987, Mehas was appointed by Governor Deukmejian as his Chief 
Advisor on public education in the state, as well as all private and 
independent schools and universities.
  Dr. Mehas was elected Fresno County Superintendent of Schools in 1990 
and subsequently served three more terms. Being a superintendent is 
never an easy job, but to do the job for 16 years, and do the job as 
well as Dr. Mehas has done, is remarkable. We will miss his invaluable 
contributions.
  In September 1991, President George Bush appointed Dr. Mehas to a 17-
member advisory commission to implement his executive order on Latino 
education, a task Dr. Mehas was thrilled to have been given and 
excelled at. Later, Dr. Mehas was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to 
the California Community College Board of Governors.
  Most recently, Dr. Mehas was appointed, in 2005, by Governor Arnold 
Schwarzenegger, to serve on the Governor's Advisory Committee on 
Education Excellence.
  As you can see, Dr. Mehas has committed the majority of his adult 
life to advancing education. Thanks in large part to Dr. Mehas, the 
children of the San Joaquin Valley are better prepared to face the 
challenges of the future.
  Throughout the years, I have also had the privilege of working with 
Dr. Mehas on a variety of issues. Pete, we wish you well, as you embark 
on a new phase of your life. You may be retiring, but your 
contributions to education will endure.

                          ____________________