[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 13233-13234]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     TRIBUTE TO DR. E. NEAL ROBERTS

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE E. BROWN, JR.

                             of california

                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 1999

  Mr. BROWN of California. Mr. Speaker, for a number of years now, my 
colleague Mr. Lewis of California and I have shared the distinct honor 
of representing the City of San Bernardino in the House of 
Representatives. It is a diverse, every-growing and ever-changing 
community with unique challenges and residents dedicated to working 
together and to making our local quality of life the best it can be. 
Today, we wish to recognize the outstanding achievements of a gentleman 
who has seen the city through a myriad of changes

[[Page 13234]]

and who has influenced countless lives through several generations. He 
has served the heart of this city--its public education system--for 45 
years.
  Dr. E. Neal Roberts has been with the San Bernardino City Unified 
School District since 1954. He began as a teacher, then served as an 
elementary school vice principal and principal, then made his way to 
the district office, holding three assistant superintendent posts. In 
1982, he was chosen to be the Superintendent of San Bernardino City 
Schools, and in an era where superintendents of urban school districts 
come and go in as little as three or four years, Dr. Roberts dedicated 
17 years of vision and commitment to the children in our community.
  Dr. Roberts' list of achievements is practically endless. He is the 
true definition of an educator and a leader. During his tenure, Dr. 
Roberts led the district to become recognized across the state for 
developing and implementing outstanding programs in desegregation, 
student achievement and performance at grade level, school and student 
safety, and an assessment/accountability system for all K-12 principals 
and schools. His long list of honors and awards include the University 
of Redlands Excellence in Teaching Award, a San Bernardino County 
Schools Distinguished Service Award, the Golden Apple Award, a Living 
Legend Recognition Award, and a Citizen of Achievement Award from the 
League of Women Voters.
  Yet what distinguishes Dr. Roberts is not his long list of awards, 
but his spirit of kindness, professionalism and fairness, and his clear 
dedication to children and to the community. He is deeply admired and 
respected by many, especially teachers, throughout the city. Dr. 
Roberts has been an inspiration and guiding force through good times 
and bad for the City of San Bernardino. He has seen the city through 
desegregation, working hard for racial equality; through economic 
downturns and base closures; and through ever-changing demographics 
that add new challenges for the school system. He has been a steady 
presence for students and their families and has always given his best 
to our community.
  Dr. Roberts' stewardship has set an outstanding example and we are 
proud that he is our constituent. When he retires this month he will be 
sorely missed, yet his legacy will undoubtedly remain for years. We 
consider ourselves lucky to have worked with Dr. Roberts and extend our 
sincere thanks and appreciation for his years of remarkable service and 
our best wishes for the future.

                          ____________________