[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 109 (Wednesday, June 25, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING DR. CRAIG WITHERSPOON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES E. CLYBURN

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 25, 2025

  Mr. CLYBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the outstanding 
career and lasting contributions of a visionary educator and leader--
Dr. Craig Witherspoon. Over nearly four decades in public education, 
including ten transformative years as Superintendent of Richland County 
School District One in Columbia, South Carolina, Dr. Witherspoon has 
been a tireless champion for student achievement, equity, and 
innovation. His work has elevated not only the schools he served, but 
the communities they anchor.
  Dr. Witherspoon began his career as an instrumental music teacher and 
steadily rose through the ranks as a principal, instructional leader, 
and superintendent, with service in four states--Virginia, North 
Carolina, Alabama, and South Carolina. He took the helm of Richland One 
in 2015, leading a diverse, urban-suburban-rural district serving more 
than 22,000 students and employing 4,000 educators and staff.
  Under his leadership, Richland One became a statewide and national 
model of innovation. The district launched South Carolina's first 
Virtual School Program for high school students, as well as the state's 
first high school commercial driver's license (CDL) training program 
and firefighter training program. It was also the first in the state to 
offer all 16 nationally recognized career clusters and establish a 
certified pre-apprenticeship program. His focus on early childhood 
education expanded pre-K access and launched the ``ThriveRichland'' 
initiative for school readiness.
  Dr. Witherspoon guided the district through the unprecedented 
challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, implementing a comprehensive 
reopening plan to ensure students could return safely to in-person 
instruction. Throughout his tenure, the district intensified family 
engagement, boosted graduation rates beyond the state average, and 
received system-wide accreditation with top-tier evaluation scores.
  He also prioritized summer learning through the district's Summer 
SOAR program and oversaw over $30 million in federal magnet school 
grants, as well as major investments in school facilities--from 
upgraded athletic stadiums to new academic wings focused on culinary 
arts, Montessori, and language immersion.
  Dr. Witherspoon's leadership was recognized with numerous awards, 
including 2024 Superintendent of the Year by the South Carolina 
Alliance of Black School Educators, 2022 Superintendent of the Year by 
the S.C. Athletic Administrators Association, and Administrator of the 
Year by several professional education associations. Under his 
guidance, the district and its schools received a remarkable list of 
accolades--from National Blue Ribbon recognition to national awards for 
health, energy conservation, and inclusive education.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and our colleagues join me in honoring 
the extraordinary service of Dr. Craig Witherspoon. His career 
exemplifies the power of education to transform lives and communities. 
He leaves behind a legacy of vision, integrity, and excellence that 
will continue to shape South Carolina's future for generations to come.

                          ____________________