[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7770]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                       TRIBUTE TO DR. BRIAN CRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SHELLEY BERKLEY

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 11, 2000

  Ms. BERKLEY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment to recognize 
a man who has dedicated his life to improving education for the 
children in the Las Vegas community.
  Dr. Brian Cram has spent over 34 years as an educator, serving our 
children as a teacher, as a principal, and as the superintendent of the 
Clark County School District. It is with great sadness that we say 
farewell to an educator who has touched the lives of thousands of 
students, but it is with great happiness that we wish him a joyous 
retirement.
  Affectionately known by the students in his district as the 
``Supernintendo,'' Dr. Cram's tenure will be remembered by his strong 
personal relationships, and his ability to bring the ``human side'' to 
the needs of the school district.
  As a principal, Dr. Cram was not satisfied sitting behind a desk, and 
was happiest during the times when he was actively involved with the 
students' education. As a superintendent, Dr. Cram would actively 
participate in the educational needs of the students by traveling to as 
many schools possible to read to classes during the district's 
``reading weeks.''
  Dr. Cram was witness to the enormous growth of Las Vegas, as the 
Clark County School System expanded from 111,000 students, to over 
215,000 students. As a self proclaimed ``poster boy for school bonds,'' 
Dr. Cram supported the building of 100 new schools, and championed 
voter approval of billions of dollars in school construction bonds for 
the students, teachers, and staff of the Clark County School District.
  Driven by the fundamental principle that education is the ``great 
equalizer'' in life, Dr. Cram endorsed the School to Work program that 
was sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, enabling students with the 
necessary tools to excel in the workforce.
  Dr. Cram should be very proud of his accomplishments, as he has been 
successful in achieving his greatest challenge to meet the growth needs 
of the 8th largest school district in the country. His commitment and 
dedication is unmatched, and will be truly missed. I would like to take 
this opportunity to thank Dr. Cram on behalf of the Clark County 
community, and wish him every success in future endeavors.

                          ____________________