[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7162]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            RETIRING CLARK COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, on Friday, May 12, 2000, Nevadans 
will pause to honor the outstanding achievements and retirement of 
Clark County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Brian Cram. Throughout his 
34 years as an educator, Dr. Cram has touched the lives of hundreds of 
thousands of youth in the Las Vegas Valley as a teacher, assistant 
principal, principal, assistant superintendent and superintendent, all 
within the Clark County School District. He is retiring after serving 
more than eleven years as superintendent. The fact that his tenure has 
been approximately nine years longer than the average for a 
superintendent demonstrates his excellence and commitment to our 
community Southern Nevada.
  Dr. Cram can be appreciated most for his outstanding management of 
the fastest growing school district in the country. During his tenure, 
the district has grown from 111,000 to more than 215,000 students, and 
is currently the eighth largest school district in the country. Dr. 
Cram is a self-proclaimed ``poster boy for school bonds,'' having 
successfully secured billions of dollars for the construction of more 
than 100 new schools for the students, teachers and staff of the Clark 
County School District. He recently was successful in obtaining voter 
approval of school construction funding for the next ten years, a 
legacy that will carry on well beyond his tenure. This achievement 
takes on added significance when one considers that Nevada, as my 
Senate colleagues have heard me state on numerous occasions, must build 
approximately one school a month just to keep up with the unprecedented 
growth in the Silver State.
  Although he spent many years in administration, Dr. Cram has always 
been happiest when working with children. He has never been one to sit 
behind a desk, preferring instead to be out working with children, 
families and staff. His tenure as superintendent will be characterized 
by strong personal relationships with the students, teachers, families 
and employees of the school district and the entire community.
  Above all, Dr. Cram is a true believer in the value of education. He 
hails from a home which stressed the importance of sound learning and 
lifelong education, and he has been driven by a fundamental belief that 
education is the great equalizer and provider in life.
  It is my distinct pleasure and honor to join all Nevadans in wishing 
Dr. Brian Cram all the best upon his retirement. His genuine commitment 
of the youth of Nevada will be appreciated for many generations to 
come.

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