[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 55 (Wednesday, April 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E845]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TEXAS TEACHER OF THE YEAR FOR 1970

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                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, April 1, 2009

  Mr. REYES. Madam Speaker, El Paso, Texas has a history of producing 
strong, passionate, and caring educators who motivate and engage our 
children to become lifelong learners. As a parent and grandparent, I am 
grateful for the contributions of our teachers in the El Paso area, and 
today I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Mr. Clarence K. 
Stark, a teacher at Irvin High School in the El Paso Independent School 
District, for being selected as the 1970 Texas Teacher of the Year. The 
Texas Teacher of the Year is the highest honor that the State of Texas 
can award to a teacher. Facilitated by the Texas Education Agency, the 
Texas Teacher of the Year Program annually recognizes and rewards 
teachers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and excellence in 
teaching. Mr. Clarence K. Stark represents the best of the best in the 
teaching profession, and we salute his energy, efforts, and dedication.
  Mr. Stark taught government at Irvin High School in the El Paso 
Independent School District. In 1968 Mr. Stark impressed his colleagues 
with his work. Both that year and in 1969, Mr. Stark was voted as 
outstanding teacher of the year for Irvin High School and he was noted 
as saying: ``I feel very honored, grateful, and humble that my fellow 
teachers selected me as outstanding teacher.'' Mr. Stark's social 
sciences department aimed to prepare young people to be tomorrow's 
leaders and his devotion to his students is greatly admired by teachers 
at his school. Mr. Stark embodies the qualities of great leaders and 
his passion to reach every student at Irvin High School is a testament 
to his character.
  Mr. Clarence K. Stark is part of a larger history of educational 
excellence in El Paso. I am proud to note that to date El Paso area 
educators have been chosen as Texas Teachers of the Year 9 times. The 
National Teacher of the Year Program began in 1952 and continues as the 
oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public 
attention on excellence in teaching.
  I am proud of the work of our teachers, and I am committed to 
ensuring that education remains a top priority in this Congress.

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