[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 102 (Tuesday, June 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E860]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING DR. PATRICK J. SWEENEY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 19, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. 
Patrick J. Sweeney upon his retirement from a distinguished eight year 
tenure as Superintendent of Napa Valley Unified School District.
  Dr. Sweeney was born in Dublin, California and was one of eight 
siblings. He realized his passion for education at an early age and 
graduated from San Diego State University in 1979 with a Bachelor of 
Arts in Liberal Studies. He then earned a Master of Arts in 
Administration and Supervision from San Jose State University in 1985, 
as well as a Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership from the 
University of La Verne in 2000.
  Dr. Sweeney has served Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD) as 
Superintendent since 2010. Under his leadership, NVUSD significantly 
increased its attendance and graduation rates, improved school safety 
and opened American Canyon High School. Dr. Sweeney also launched 
pivotal programs to improve student health and wellness, including 
opening Wellness Centers at the middle schools in the district. Dr. 
Sweeney guided the district through monumental changes in federal and 
state education policy and two significant natural disasters. During 
the October 2017 fires, he opened American Canyon High School as a 
shelter and focused on ensuring Spanish-speaking families were 
receiving accurate and up to date information.
  In addition to serving NVUSD as Superintendent, Dr. Sweeney has also 
greatly impacted other schools and districts. He was Principal of a 
Bilingual Magnet School in Santa Cruz County, California, 
Superintendent of the American School in Durango, Mexico and 
Superintendent, and later Director of Educational Services, of the 
Patterson Joint Unified School District. In all of his roles in various 
schools and school districts, Dr. Sweeney has focused on building 
relationships within each community and has committed himself to 
serving students and educators from a broad range of cultural and 
socio-economic backgrounds.
  Mr. Speaker, Dr. Sweeney is a passionate educator with an esteemed 
record for giving back to his students, colleagues and the community, 
who has dutifully served Napa Valley Unified School District as 
Superintendent for eight years. It is therefore fitting and proper that 
we honor Dr. Patrick J. Sweeney here today.

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