[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 137 (Monday, September 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1881]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        A TRIBUTE TO SAM JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LANTOS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 17, 2007

  Mr. LANTOS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in tribute to an 
extraordinary educator from my home district in California. Samuel 
Johnson Jr. has retired following four decades of service to students. 
Remarkably, for 39 of those years, Sam Johnson was employed at the San 
Mateo Union High School District, with the final three years as its 
Superintendent.
  A native of Louisiana, Sam Johnson struggled against and rose above 
the racial challenges of his generation. His career displays a shining 
light of perseverance and professionalism, offering a pioneering 
example for all races.
  Yet let me say, Madame Speaker, that Sam Johnson's legacy is his 
devotion to young people, his determination that every student should 
have the ability to excel, to achieve and ultimately to find success in 
higher education.
  His first job as a teacher was in his home state of Louisiana, and 
his eventual move to the San Mateo Union High School District after 
that first year began a lengthy tenure of dedication at the district he 
would call home for four decades.
  Beginning his career as a math teacher, Sam Johnson went on to hold 
nearly every administrative position in the district. His 
responsibilities ranged through the years from being the Director of 
Human Relations for the entire San Mateo Union High School District to 
being Assistant Principal and then Principal of Capuchino High School, 
where he was successful in acquiring a prestigious Carnegie Grant. He 
later served as Director of Personnel, Associate Superintendent for 
Human Resources and Administrative Services and finally, Superintendent 
of the District, overseeing seven schools.
  Madam Speaker, I would like my colleagues to know that Sam Johnson 
will be remembered for his commitment to the advancement of young 
people from all walks of life. His innovative pursuit of an Academic 
Core Curriculum, guaranteeing that every student would be taking 
classes geared to success in college, was just one example of helping 
everyone realize educational dreams. He combined that vision with a 
push for seven periods in the school day, giving students the 
opportunity to benefit from additional elective classes. He also 
spearheaded a school year calendar change that more effectively linked 
the end of academic classes with holiday vacations. These changes, 
which required political and administrative strength to achieve, 
highlight much of Sam Johnson's talents and vision. His success at 
reaching these goals provided more academic opportunities for the 
students in his care. I am proud to say that the San Mateo Union High 
School District has reported successively improving student scores in 
recent years, something universally desired in any educational 
environment.
  Madam Speaker, Samuel Johnson Jr. deserves respect and appreciation 
for an educational career focused on improving the opportunities and 
experiences of young people attending public school. He faced many 
challenges during his tenure, specific to the San Mateo Union High 
School District as well as relating to society in general. He met those 
challenges with dignity and what many of his colleagues described as 
class, while never wavering from the dream he held as a young teacher 
in Louisiana; a dream of helping students find the path to realizing 
their own hopes and dreams.
  Madam Speaker, I want to wish Samuel Johnson Jr.; his wife, Della; 
and children Brad and Shana, happiness in his retirement and 
congratulations on his four-decade career in education.

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