[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13428]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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               ON THE RETIREMENT OF DR. KAREN J. HARSHMAN

 Mrs. BOXER. I am very pleased to take a few moments to 
recognize the many important accomplishments of Dr. Karen J. Harshman 
as she retires as superintendent of the Fontana Unified School 
District. Dr. Harshman has led Fontana schools through a period of 
unprecedented growth and during a time of increased demands on schools, 
and has done so with great success.
  Dr. Harshman began her career in education as a substitute teacher. 
Since that early assignment, she has been a teacher, coordinator, 
principal, director, and assistant superintendent. She also serves as 
an instructor at local college campuses, guiding new teachers and 
administrators as they learn the educational ropes.
  Since 1994, Dr. Harshman has lead the Fontana Unified School District 
as its superintendent. During her tenure as superintendent, Fontana has 
seen phenomenal growth. Six schools have opened under her leadership, 
and the district currently ranks 17th in size in the State of 
California. Educational excellence has become a more prominent emphasis 
during her tenure, and Dr. Harshman has focused the efforts of the 
district on improving student performance through a variety of 
innovative programs known throughout California and beyond.
  Dr. Harshman's accomplishments are not limited to Fontana Unified 
School District or education. Soroptimist International of Baldy View 
recently awarded her the Women Helping Women Award for bringing the 
American Cancer Society Relay for Life to Fontana and for her work with 
breast cancer survivors. Importantly, the award was also given for her 
lifelong work mentoring women. The Association of California School 
Administrators selected her as the Region 12 Superintendent of the Year 
for 2002. Dr. Harshman is also active in the Fontana Rotary Club, the 
Fontana Chamber of Commerce, and the Chaffey College Foundation.
  A portion of Dr. Harshman's biography reads that ``she looks forward 
to every single day knowing that she is involved in the most important 
work on the planet.'' I invited all of my colleagues to join me in 
commending Dr. Karen Harshman for her great leadership doing ``the most 
important work on the planet''--educating our children.

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