[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 20500]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    IN RECOGNITION OF JOSEPH TORREZ

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, today I honor the accomplishments 
of Principal Joseph Torrez of Tucumcari, NM, who is in the Nation's 
capital today to be recognized as the 2002 New Mexico National 
Distinguished Principal of the Year. He was one of 63 principals from 
across the country who will be honored by the United States Department 
of Education and the National Association of Elementary School 
Principals.
  Joseph is a product of the New Mexico higher education system, having 
received both his undergraduate degree and Master's degree from New 
Mexico Highlands University. Since completing his master's degree, he 
has dedicated his life to educating New Mexico's children. As a 
language arts teacher at Taos High School, Thoreau High School and 
Memorial Middle School in Las Vegas, NM, he has touched the hearts and 
minds of his students, while generating interest and enthusiasm in 
learning.
  Three years ago Joseph agreed to move from the classroom to the 
principal's office. In this role he has shown leadership skills that 
have earned him the respect of parents and teachers alike.
  One of his many accomplishments is the development of a program that 
targets at-risk kids by providing them with after-school activities. 
These include recreation, assistance with school work, and instruction 
on ways to become involved as volunteers in the community.
  This program is not limited simply to the children in these families, 
however. He has used money from a state grant to assist parents of his 
students obtain the skills needed to succeed in the workforce.
  Joseph's contributions to the community are not limited simply to his 
work in the Tucumcari schools. He has also encouraged his students to 
aid the local homeless shelter, collect food, and visit senior 
citizens.
  I commend Joseph for his hard work and dedication to help students, 
their parents and the community of Tucumcari. Joseph has set the bar 
for excellence through his exemplary efforts. He has used creative and 
innovative means to improve the lives of his students and beyond, 
through reaching out to the community.
  I am proud to honor Principal Joseph Torrez, our 2002 New Mexico 
National Distinguished Principal. On behalf of the Senate and New 
Mexico, I thank this fellow New Mexican for making a difference in our 
children's lives.

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