[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 13072]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



 RETIREMENT OF JOHN P. REZENDES, PRINCIPAL OF EDWARD R. MARTIN JUNIOR 
                              HIGH SCHOOL

 Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, on June 21st, family, friends and 
colleagues will gather to honor John P. Rezendes, who has served East 
Providence public schools for 30 years, and is retiring as Principal of 
Edward R. Martin Junior High School.
  John Rezendes built his career in Rhode Island, just as he received 
his education in our state. He graduated from East Providence Senior 
High School in 1965, received a bachelor's and a master's degree from 
Providence College, and later pursued additional studies at Rhode 
Island College.
  Over the years, John Rezendes has amassed an impressive record of 
public service. During his tenure in the East Providence public school 
system, John has worked with students in a variety of capacities, 
including as a classroom teacher, a ``House Leader,'' and a principal.
  Early in his career, John served as a history and civics teacher at 
Central Junior High School. In 1977, when a new facility was 
constructed to replace Central Junior High School, John was one of the 
first faculty members to occupy this new ``four house facility.'' That 
same year, he was promoted to House Leader where he continued a close 
relationship with his students and built a strong working relationship 
with the teachers he supervised.
  In 1983, John was appointed Principal of Riverside Junior High 
School. In this capacity, he brought many personal touches to the 
school. His work on revamping student schedules and creating ``teaching 
teams'' within individual grades are just a couple of the positive 
marks he left on the Riverside community.
  However, John Rezendes did not stop there. In 1986, Principal 
Rezendes was transferred to Martin Junior High School where he remained 
for the next thirteen years. During this time, John worked diligently 
on the educational needs of his students. In fact, in 1998, he began 
molding the East Providence Educational Development Center. This Center 
serves as an alternative high school for non-traditional students and 
focuses on the development of academic schedules to meet their 
individual needs.
  John Rezendes' work in the East Providence public school system 
certainly is well known. For over thirty years, John has made a lasting 
impact on thousands of students. He has treated his job as both a 
challenge and a privilege.
  As John prepares for his private life away from the duties of his 
terribly demanding job, I want to congratulate and thank him for all 
that he has given to his community.

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