[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 178 (Wednesday, December 9, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8540-S8541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO THOMAS LOGSDON

  Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and honor the 
extraordinary service of Thomas ``Al'' Logsdon. A dedicated educator 
and a longtime community leader, Al represents Hoosier values at their 
finest.
  Beginning his career in 1964 after graduating from Western Kentucky 
University with a degree in biology and Spanish, he taught science and 
coached several sports. From 1970 to 2003, Al has served as the 
principal of several schools across Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.
  During this time, Al continued his education earning a Master of 
Science and Education Specialist degrees from Murray State University 
in 1970 and 1980, respectively.
  As principal, Al led his schools to great success and they received 
well-deserved awards for their hard work and achievement. In both 2000 
and 2003, Heritage Jr./Sr. High School was selected as one of the top 
six schools in Indiana, as well as being honored with the International 
Reading Association's National Award in 2000 for having an outstanding 
high school reading program. Al was honored as the Indiana High School 
Principal of the Year in 1989 and was selected by his peers to serve 
both on the executive committee of the Indiana Principal's Association 
and to represent them for 8 years as State coordinator to the National 
Association of Secondary School Principals.
  In 2005, Al was elected Spencer County Commissioner. In that 
capacity, Al maintains various responsibilities, but one that he 
considers to be among the most rewarding and challenging has been 
serving as president of the drainage board. The board's initiative of 
creating a nine-member advisory board, which makes recommendations 
across the county, won statewide recognition by the Indiana Association 
of County Commissioners. Al later served on the State board of the 
Indiana Association of County Commissioners and eventually as 
president, as well as serving on the Association of Indiana 
Commissioners Executive Board.
  Never one to leave teaching completely, Al became involved in 
national, State, and local teacher retirement organizations currently 
serving as the president of the Spencer County Retired Teachers 
Association.

[[Page S8541]]

  Since his retirement, Al has been serving as a private consultant for 
an organization in southwestern Indiana that is engaged in assisting 32 
schools implement school improvement plans. He is also spending time 
with several school districts in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and 
Indiana, helping them in efforts to begin schoolwide reading programs 
for all students.
  In addition to his longstanding community service, Al is a loving 
husband, father, and grandfather. Al's wife, Jeanne, is a retired 
schoolteacher, and together, they have four children and six 
grandchildren. In his free time, Al has enjoyed coaching three sports 
and officiating basketball and baseball contests. He is a member of the 
Knights of Columbus Chapter at St. Francis of Assisi Church, a member 
of Optimist Club, and serves on the Spencer County Bank Board of 
Directors. He enjoys visiting with family and friends, as well as 
traveling, reading, fishing, and, of course, playing golf.
  Today I honor Al's legacy of service and wish to express my sincere 
gratitude for his leadership and dedication to his community and our 
great State of Indiana.

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