[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 152 (Wednesday, September 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. ROBERT F. KNAUTZ

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2008

  Mr. KILDEE. Madam Speaker, it is with profound sadness that I 
announce the passing of Dr. Robert F. Knautz, the founding principal of 
the U.S. House of Representatives Page School. ``Dr. K,'' as he was 
affectionately known by many of his former students, died on September 
17, 2008, at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD. He left an indelible 
mark on the House Page School, the institution he was charged with 
creating in 1983. The House Page Program owes a tremendous debt of 
gratitude to Dr. Knautz for his vision for the School, his commitment 
to quality education, and his compassion for students.
  Dr. Knautz was a proud son of the Land of Lincoln. He was born in 
Chicago, IL, and remained throughout his life a devoted fan of both the 
Cubs and the Bears. Dr. Knautz obtained his undergraduate and graduate 
degrees from Northern Illinois University, earning his bachelor's 
degree in political science in 1963 and his master's degree in the same 
subject in 1970. Dr. Knautz also received his Ph.D. in education 
administration from Northern Illinois in 1982.
  Before joining the House Page School, Dr. Knautz spent nearly two 
decades as an educator and administrator. He taught fifth grade and 
sixth grade for 2 years each, eighth grade for 3 years, and high school 
for 3 years. Dr. Knautz made the transition from teaching to 
administration in 1973, first having dual responsibility for a 
kindergarten through third grade building and a high school because the 
two buildings were adjacent to each other. Later he accepted a position 
at Hiawatha High School in Kirkland, IL, where he served as principal 
for 7 years.
  As a result of a series of reforms in 1983, the U.S. House created 
the House Page School. Dr. Knautz saw the advertisement for the House 
Page School principal opening, and applied for the opening. In late 
July 1983, he flew to Washington to interview. He was offered the job 
the same day, accepted, and had to move his young family to Washington, 
D.C. When Dr. Knautz first arrived he lived in the Congressional Hotel 
(which became House Annex I and was later renamed the O'Neill 
Building), on the same floor as summer pages, who were moved into the 
hotel the previous year.
  Unlike most principals, Dr. Knautz had to literally create a school 
from scratch. Also, since the new House Page School was scheduled to 
open on September 6, 1983, he had only 5 weeks to do so. Dr. Knautz was 
not only responsible for developing the curriculum, hiring teachers, 
and cleaning the physical plant; he was also responsible for purchasing 
textbooks, ordering supplies, and obtaining furniture. Dr. Knautz 
worked 15-hour days for a month to complete the preparations for the 
school opening and also found a place for his family to live in his 
rare spare time.
  For Dr. Knautz, being the founding principal at House Page School was 
one of his proudest professional moments. He served as principal of the 
House Page School for 18 years until he retired in 2001. Many of the 
curriculum ideas and school policies he developed are used today at the 
School.
  Dr. Knautz is survived by his wife Mary, daughter Elizabeth, son Jon, 
brothers Ronald and Roger, and a host of nieces and nephews. He was a 
loving father, a caring husband, a gifted teacher and brilliant 
administrator, always putting his full faith in people. The House of 
Representatives is forever grateful for the service of Robert F. 
Knautz.

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