[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 103 (Thursday, June 25, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E976-E977]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. LINDA HENRIE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JEB HENSARLING

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 25, 2015

  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, it is my honor to recognize Dr. Linda 
Henrie, Superintendent of Mesquite Independent School District, who is 
retiring after 43 years of service. Dr. Henrie has been an invaluable 
asset to the students, teachers, and community of Mesquite, and will be 
sorely missed.
   Dr. Henrie leaves behind a legacy of leadership that started in the 
1980s when she began shattering glass ceilings. She began her career 
with Mesquite ISD as a business teacher at Mesquite High School and 
became president of the Mesquite Education Association. In the fall of 
1986, Dr. Henrie became one of the first women to be appointed to a 
secondary administration position in the district.
   Dr. Henrie has served MISD in a variety of positions throughout her 
long and successful career. She spent 15 years in administrative 
positions and four years as deputy superintendent prior to assuming the 
role of superintendent in 2005. In addition to her official job 
description, she has also been a cheerleader for many athletic events, 
a patron of countless school plays and shows and an overall supporter 
to everyone in MISD.
   Thanks to her fiscal savvy and wise stewardship of limited 
resources, the school district was able to succeed and even reach new 
accomplishments in recent years. She found a way to avoid job cuts and 
often reminded her hard-working staff--in both word and by example--
that they were charged with giving the

[[Page E977]]

taxpayers a good return on investment at MISD.
   While overseeing the 46-campus MISD, Dr. Henrie has somehow found 
time to be involved in other professional groups and organizations. The 
Texas Association of School Administrators, Mesquite Education 
Association, Texas Staff Development Council, Texas ASCD, UIL 
Legislative Council, and the National Federation of State High School 
Associations and Equity Center have all benefitted from Dr. Henrie's 
wisdom and leadership.
   During her tenure, MISD was a recognized district in 2010 and 2011, 
received the Texas Award for Performance Excellence from Quality Texas, 
gained membership in the Comptroller's Gold Leadership Circle, and was 
a large-district finalist in the H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards 
for three consecutive years. MISD is also one of only 11 public school 
districts to earn the highest rating of five stars on the Financial 
Allocation Study for Texas (FAST) for three consecutive years.
   Dr. Henrie received personal recognition as the recipient of 
Mesquite Social Services' Women in Service and Enterprise Award, Texas 
ASCD's Brownlee Leadership Award, the ATPE's 2011 Administrator 
Educator of the Year honor, and City of Mesquite Pillar of the 
Community Award.
   This year Dr. Henrie will retire. Though her time as an educator has 
come to an end, the results of her hard work will no doubt continue to 
be seen for generations to come. While she may be giving up the title 
of superintendent, I have no doubt her role as one of MISD's biggest 
fans will continue.
   Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Fifth District of Texas, I am honored 
to recognize Dr. Linda Henrie for her devotion to education and for 
helping to shape a brighter future for our community and our country.

                          ____________________