[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 79 (Monday, May 13, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S2784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DAKEYAN GRAHAM

 Mr. RUBIO. Mr. President, today I honor Dakeyan Graham, the 
Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year from C. Leon King High School 
in Tampa, FL.
  Dakeyan teaches his students more than just academic skills; he 
teaches patience and kindness. He considers this to be incredibly 
beneficial to his student's success in life and in school. Dakeyan 
first began his musical career as a saxophonist at King High School and 
views his return as its band director the full circle to his musical 
career. In addition to teaching, he serves as president of the 
Hillsborough County Secondary Music Council and authored a high school 
African-American heritage curriculum for secondary music.
  Dakeyan received his bachelor's and master's degrees from the 
University of Florida, where he was part of an honors music fraternity 
and the Fighting Gators marching band. He returned to his hometown of 
Tampa to begin his teaching career and earned his doctor of philosophy 
degree from the University of South Florida.
  As a proud Gator myself, I extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to 
Dakeyan for his dedication to music and his students. I look forward to 
hearing of his continued success in the years to come.

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