[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 74 (Tuesday, May 22, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E882-E883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 IN RECOGNITION OF MR. KENNETH CAPSHAW

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SILVESTRE REYES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 22, 2012

  Mr. REYES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Kenneth 
Capshaw, a fellow El Pasoan and high school band director who has spent 
his life educating El Paso's young people and children and instilling 
in them an appreciation for music. He has also been a member of the El 
Paso Symphony Orchestra for 30 years, not only extending his knowledge 
of music to younger generations, but the entire community as well.
  Mr. Capshaw has been a band director for over 20 years, 15 of which 
were spent at Coronado High School. Under his leadership, the Coronado 
High School band has become one of the most successful band programs in 
the State of Texas.
  Capshaw has been recognized many times for his achievements in music 
education, including receiving the Legion of Honor Award from the John 
Phillip Sousa Foundation and the Meritorious Award from the Texas 
Bandmasters Association.
  Not only is he recognized nationally in the field of music education, 
but he. is highly respected and admired by the music community and 
scores of young people in El Paso.
  Mr. Capshaw has touched the lives of many students in his career. 
They could be the custodian's daughter or the surgeon's son, or have a 
physical disability. His sole focus was always to develop each of his 
students' musical talents and character, teaching them the values of 
hard work, responsibility and working together to achieve excellence.
  Fine Arts is a subject very important to our children's education, 
and many studies demonstrate that students of musical education 
programs often have higher academic achievement. Music education, 
particularly when directed by a dedicated and caring musical director 
like Kenneth Capshaw, encourages motivation and teamwork among 
participants along with individual excellence.
  Today I recognize Mr. Capshaw and thank him for the many years he has 
spent educating our children and making beautiful music

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for our community, and I wish him and his wife the best of luck in 
retirement. God bless you, Mr. Capshaw.

                          ____________________