[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14150]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JOHN GIRON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT McINNIS

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2003

  Mr. McINNIS. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
honor a lifelong educator from my district. John Giron has devoted his 
life to the students of Trinidad State Junior College in Trinidad, 
Colorado for 33 years. As he embarks on his retirement, it gives me 
great joy to inform this body about John's exemplary service to his 
community and this nation.
  John's family has deep roots in Trinidad, going back four generations 
to his great-grandfather who homesteaded in the area. His father worked 
as a miner, and John attended Trinidad High School where he excelled as 
a runner, becoming state champion in the half mile. Following 
graduation in 1957, John attended the University of Colorado on an 
athletic scholarship, but within weeks of starting school, his nation 
came calling. John received a draft notice in the mail and immediately 
gave up his scholarship to enlist in the Navy. The Navy trained John as 
an electrician and stationed him on two aircraft carriers before John 
returned to school, this time at Trinidad State Junior College and 
Adams State College.
  John earned a BA in education and later an MA in counseling, which 
led to a job as a guidance counselor and launched his career with 
Trinidad State Junior College. He later worked as the Director of 
Upward Bound, a program designed to help students successfully complete 
high school and college. John also served as the Director of Student 
Life before spending the last 15 years as the Dean of Students. John is 
deeply connected to the school. His entire family, including his wife, 
three children, and daughter-in-law, has graduated from Trinidad State 
Junior College.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to stand before this body today to recognize 
John Giron, a man who has clearly demonstrated his commitment to our 
nation's youth. His counsel and leadership helped guide the academic 
careers of numerous young people, and I thank him for his outstanding 
service and wish John all the best in his retirement.

                          ____________________