[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 167 (Thursday, November 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO DR. JOHN FOLKS OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2011

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in 
recognizing Dr. John Folks on being awarded Superintendent of the Year 
from the Texas Association of School Boards.
  Dr. Folks has served as superintendent of the Northside Independent 
School District in San Antonio, Texas since 2002 and was selected from 
among the 1,000 eligible superintendents from across the state of Texas 
for this award. Dr. Folks has consistently advocated against budget 
cuts to education and schools, and during his time as superintendent, 
Northside ISD has become the largest school district in Bexar County 
and has grown from 65,000 students to 97,500 students. Northside ISD is 
also the largest school district in Texas to be classified as a 
``recognized'' school under the state's accountability system.
  Dr. Folks has been instrumental in maintaining the quality of Texas 
public schools and has served as superintendent of Spring Independent 
School District in Houston and Midwest City-Del City Public Schools in 
suburban Oklahoma City. He began his teaching career in Port Arthur, 
Texas and has remained an educator for 41 years. As Past President of 
the Texas Association of School Administrators, he has used his 
leadership skills to help school districts excel across the state of 
Texas. He is committed to doing what is right for Texas youth and 
understands that it takes a skilled team of dedicated educators to pave 
their road to success to prepare students to lead productive and 
fulfilling lives.
  I would again ask you to congratulate Dr. John Folks on his 
recognition as Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of 
School Boards and acknowledge his fight for providing an exemplary 
education throughout our nation's public school systems.

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