[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 80 (Thursday, May 11, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E430-E431]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING MRS. LAURA LEE KIRKLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2023

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mrs. Laura Lee 
Kirkley for her 40 years of service to the Di Giorgio School Board and 
the Central Valley community. Mrs. Kirkley has been a Valley resident 
her whole life--growing up in Tehachapi before eventually moving to 
Arvin in 1974. In 1976, she married James Kirkley and started a family. 
As her sons started attending school in the Di Giorgio School District, 
Mrs. Kirkley knew she wanted to become more involved. This led her to 
join the school board in 1983--a position she has held ever since.
  Mrs. Kirkley attended Bakersfield College and would graduate from 
California State University, Bakersfield in 1994. One year after her 
graduation, she was hired by the Arvin Union School District as a 7th 
and 8th grade math teacher at Haven Drive Middle School. As a teacher, 
Mrs. Kirkley regularly demonstrated her commitment to her students by 
helping to lead math competitions for the school. Her students were 
involved in the County Math Field Day competitions and won many 
awards--including winning first place in the Arvin High Math Field Day 
11 straight years.
  Mrs. Kirkley was incredibly involved in the Arvin community 
throughout her sons' childhood. She attended many Little League, Babe 
Ruth games, and other extracurricular activities. When they attended 
Arvin High School, she enjoyed going to their baseball, football, and 
band performances. Throughout her entire

[[Page E431]]

adult life, Mrs. Kirkley has been a staple in the Central Valley 
community, supporting not only her own children but the hundreds of 
students she interacted with during her time in the Di Giorgio School 
District.
  Mrs. Kirkley exemplifies the type of leadership that makes the 
Central Valley such a wonderful place to call home. Her work on behalf 
of students living in rural communities is remarkable, and I'm proud to 
recognize her service. I ask my colleagues in the United States House 
of Representatives to join me in recognizing Mrs. Kirkley's 40 years of 
service on the Di Giorgio School Board and the Central Valley 
community.

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