[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 73 (Friday, April 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING DR. MARK J. CRAWFORD ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT

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                           HON. BRIAN HIGGINS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 28, 2017

  Mr. HIGGINS of New York. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor Dr. Mark 
J. Crawford for his service to Western New York as an educator and 
public servant. He will be retiring from his position as Superintendent 
of the West Seneca Central School District, and I want to commemorate 
his hard work, dedication, and impact on our community.
   Dr. Crawford began his educational career in Western New York, 
earning a bachelor's and a master's degree from Canisius College, and a 
doctorate from the University of Buffalo. In 1974, he began his career 
teaching at Our Lady of Perpetual Help School. Throughout his 43-year 
career in education, Dr. Crawford took on many different roles. He 
taught Regents Social Studies, served as the Dean of Discipline, 
Headmaster, and Principal at a number of our local schools including, 
Nardin Academy, Casey Middle School, and Northwood Elementary. In 
addition, Dr. Crawford served as an adjunct professor of graduate 
education at D'Youville College, helping to educate the future teachers 
of Western New York. For the past 13 years, he was Superintendent at 
Dryden Central School District, Hamburg Central Schools, and most 
recently, West Seneca Central School District.
   In addition to his dedication to education, Mark is actively 
involved in the local community and serves as a member of the West 
Seneca Chamber of Commerce, member emeritus of the West Seneca Rotary 
Club, and Trustee Emeritus of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site 
Foundation Board of Trustees.
   Furthermore, Dr. Crawford has expanded his community involvement 
beyond Western New York to Rwanda. Eight years ago, he traveled with 
the directors of the Summer Institute for Human Rights and Genocide 
Studies, and ever since has actively supported the organization.
   Dr. Crawford has been serving the youth of Western New York for over 
four decades, and his commitment and dedication as an educator and 
public servant has had an immeasurable impact on our community.
   Mr. Speaker, thank you for allowing me a few moments to honor Dr. 
Mark J. Crawford and recognize all that he has done for the City of 
West Seneca and the entire Western New York community. I know that 
you'll join me, and all of our colleagues, in wishing Mark, his wife, 
and their entire family the very best of good health and happiness in 
the months and years to come.

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