[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 14768]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              ON THE RETIREMENT OF MR. ADRIAN DELL ROBERTS

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President. I rise to recognize the life work 
of Mr. Adrian Dell Roberts as he retires from Riverside Unified School 
District after more than 38 years of dedicated service, leaving a 
legacy of community-building and a belief in the potential of young 
people.
  Dell Roberts' ability to promote student safety, teamwork, and self-
confidence has been apparent at every stage of his career with 
Riverside Unified School District; starting with his initial part-time 
position coaching track and football at Riverside Polytechnic High 
School in 1965, and culminating with his role as Administrative 
Assistant for Campus and Community Services. He also served as an 
administrative aid and assistant principal in charge of discipline at 
Riverside Polytechnic High School.
  As Administrative Assistant for Campus and Community Services, Mr. 
Roberts has worked to identify and meet the needs of Riverside's youth. 
He has done much to help students and staff understand the diverse 
cultural values of the students in the district. Under his leadership, 
multi-cultural councils were established at high schools and middle 
schools, facilitating peaceful group problem solving. He also played a 
leading role in the successful formation of the Black Student Union at 
Riverside Polytechnic High School and is the founder and coordinator of 
the statewide Black Student Union.
  In addition to his contributions on campus, Mr. Roberts has lent his 
involvement and leadership to organizations that work to improve the 
lives of young people and provide enriching educational and 
recreational resources to the Riverside community. Many, many students 
have had opportunities that would not have been available to them 
without Mr. Roberts' hard work to expand their horizons and perceptions 
of their own potentials.
  Mr. Roberts' impressive accomplishments and affiliations are too 
numerous to mention in their entirety, but we can reflect on the 
important underlying beliefs that have guided his work. A portion of 
Mr. Roberts' biography includes his statement that he `` . . . has 
faith in our youth because they are our present as well as our 
future.'' Indeed, Mr. Roberts' ability to reach out in friendship and 
support and to inspire respect between individuals and groups has 
enriched the lives of countless young people. I invite all of my 
colleagues to join me in commending Dell Roberts for his years of 
loving work for the academic and personal advancement of our 
children.

                          ____________________