[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 130 (Friday, August 1, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING DR. HERBERT R. FISCHER FOR 37 YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENTS IN 
                               EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 2008

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to a dear friend and true leader in my community, Dr. Herbert R. 
Fischer, who is retiring after 37 years of dedication to educational 
development and public service throughout the Inland Empire.
  After 27 years as a classroom teacher, principal, and district 
administrator in the San Bernardino City Unified School District and as 
superintendent of the Colton Joint Unified School District, Dr. Fischer 
was chosen to be the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, a 
position he held for 10 years.
  The San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools office provides 
support to the 33 K-12 districts and roughly 425,000 students attending 
more than 500 schools in the county. The County Schools office also 
provides business and financial curriculum and instruction, personnel, 
credentials, and management information support to school districts 
countywide.
  Our district is privileged to have many fine educational 
professionals dedicated to improve the overall well-being of their 
students. Dr Fischer is no exception and has taken his love for 
educational development even further. Under Dr. Fischer's leadership, 
the County Superintendent of Schools office has improved the State 
Academic performance index for 7 consecutive years. He has expanded 
many school safety programs through the Law Enforcement Education 
Partnership and the Countywide Gangs and Drugs Task Force. Dr. Fischer 
is also a founder of three regional P-16 Councils that work to 
eliminate the achievement gap by creating a comprehensive system for 
all levels of education.
  Dr. Fischer's forward thinking has made San Bernardino a model for 
excellence in community service. In particular, he is credited with 
developing and implementing Alliance for Education initiative, which 
has over 1,200 business, labor, community and faith-based partners 
working with public schools to improve the college, career and labor 
readiness of students.
  Throughout his career in education, Dr. Fischer worked with 
colleagues, students and parents, to increase college going rates, 
reduce student drop-out rates, and provide greater Internet and 
technology access to students and teachers. He also established 
programs to provide quality curriculums for all students and offer 
parents more educational choices. Dr. Fischer's hard work and 
dedication to the future success of our young people is truly 
appreciated.
  Madam Speaker, please join me in congratulating Dr. Fischer for his 
many accomplishments and thanking him for making our community a leader 
in educational and professional advancement. The valuable contributions 
he has made throughout his career will be remembered for years to come.

                          ____________________