[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16917-16918]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        IN HONOR OF BILL RUMBLE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. XAVIER BECERRA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2003

  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, it is with the utmost pleasure and 
privilege that I rise today to recognize and pay tribute to a friend 
and educator, Mr. Bill Rumble, who will retire this Friday, June 27th, 
after 28 exceptional years of teaching in the Los Angeles Unified 
School District.
  Born November 5, 1946 in Long Beach, California, to Everett and 
Marion Rumble, Bill graduated from Millikan High School in 1964 and 
then attended the University of California, Los Angeles, where he 
earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. Following 
college, Bill served in the United State Navy from June 1968 to July 
1970. First commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve, he was 
quickly called up to active duty and served as Combat Information 
Center Officer on the Naval destroyers USS DuPont and USS Albert David. 
During his two-year Naval tenure, he earned the National Defense Medal, 
the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and 
he attained the rank of Lieutenant.
  Bill's service to his country did not end when he left the military, 
but instead evolved into a lifetime of service in the classroom. After 
completing his California Teaching Credential from California State 
University, Long Beach, in June 1974, Bill went to work for the Los 
Angeles Unified School District where he taught English as a Second 
Language, English, history, and Chicano Studies from 1974 to 1996. From 
1996 to the present, he has served as the Bilingual Program Coordinator 
at Wilson High School, which is attended by many students who reside in 
my district. Though he has spent his career as a teacher, Bill somehow 
found the time to be a student earning his Master of Arts in Latin 
American Studies from California State University, Los Angeles in 1988.
  Bill Rumble has never pursued but has certainly earned recognition as 
a dedicated public servant, committed educator, and fighter for human 
dignity. But what sets him apart from many others, at least for me, is 
his devotion to and appreciation of his role as husband and father.
  Bill had the good sense to marry Carol Jacques in August of 1981. 
Together they have three children: Lawrence, Mateo, and Maya. In her 
own right, Carol is a tireless and beloved advocate in our community. 
Together they have mastered the art of advocacy, and together they have 
shared in the fruits of their progressive work. Together, they are a 
powerful team.

[[Page 16918]]

  Bill's 28 years with the schools of Los Angeles have been flush with 
positions of leadership, including Social Studies Department Chair 
during 1995-96, member of the Accreditations Committee during 1996-97, 
member of the Professional Development Committee during 2000-03, and 
member of the Academic Leadership Team during 2001-03. Furthermore, 
Bill played an active role with our local teachers union, the United 
Teachers of Los Angeles, in which he assumed several positions of 
leadership. Ultimately, however, Bill's first priority as a teacher was 
his genuine concern for the education, enrichment and well being of his 
students.
  As a tireless volunteer, Bill has supported many local community-
based organizations, including Art in the Park, the Northeast branch of 
the Los Angeles YMCA, the Mount Washington Residents Association, and 
the Arroyo Seco Neighborhood Council.
  Bill's retirement marks the final chapter in a distinguished teaching 
career. But, if I know Bill, he's just getting started. I look forward 
to his continued service and devotion to our community. Just as his 
students needed him yesterday, we who believe in social activism and a 
commitment to social justice need him today.
  Mr. Speaker, as family, friends and colleagues gather to celebrate 
Bill's many accomplishments, it is with great admiration and pride that 
I ask my colleagues to join me today in saluting this exceptional man 
and brother to many. America certainly got the best end of the bargain 
when it opened the doors of education and public service to Bill 
Rumble.

                          ____________________