[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 152 (Thursday, September 21, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING DR. ANTHONY LOCKHART, FLORIDA'S 2017 PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR

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                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 2017

  Mr. HASTINGS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Anthony 
Lockhart, Principal at Lake Shore Middle School and Florida's 2017 
Principal of the Year. Mr. Lockhart has shown outstanding merit and 
dedication to his profession. He has been a source of inspiration and 
courage for hundreds of students for more than 20 years with the Palm 
Beach County School District. He has gained well-earned accolades for 
his ability to connect with his students and has gone above and beyond 
his call of duty to improve the performance of a struggling school. Dr. 
Lockhart was named the Legacy Magazine 2015 Top High School Educators 
of the Year and was also named one of the top 50 most influential black 
professionals.
  After graduating from Jackson State University, Dr. Lockhart worked 
as a counselor to young people--it is this critically important work 
that would eventually lead him to become a school guidance counselor 
and work his way up to principal. Dr. Lockhart believes that education 
is the great equalizer--that no matter what socioeconomic or racial 
background an individual comes from, they can accomplish anything if 
they obtain an education.
  Lake Shore Middle School faced many challenges when Dr. Lockhart 
became Principal. Not shy about rolling up his sleeves and getting to 
work, he started interviewing teachers and community members to 
ascertain what needed to be done to make the school as successful as he 
knew it could be. Dr. Lockhart, armed with this information, then 
worked with teachers and community members alike to change the school 
culture. This diligent work resulted in the school going from being 
graded at a F- to a C rated school and being recognized by Florida 
Governor Rick Scott for being in the top ten percent of middle schools 
in five categories. Dr. Lockhart has no doubt that this achievement 
could not have been possible without the efforts from a supportive 
community, a focused group of educators, and a dedicated administrative 
staff. Instead of seeing students that embraced a failing attitude, he 
saw children that had not been given an opportunity to succeed; he saw 
teachers that needed encouragement, training and support; and a 
community that could be convinced that success was possible.
  Mr. Speaker, as we recognize and honor Dr. Anthony Lockhart today for 
his accomplishments and his dedication, may we also recognize the hope 
and light educators like Dr. Lockhart bring to the future of this 
country.

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