[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 150 (2004), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Page 22010]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. CLATIS WALKER

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a valued 
educator in my State who is retiring in November after more than 30 
years of service to the youth of Kentucky, Mr. Clatis Walker.
  The education profession is one that people seem to take for granted 
from time to time in our society, but its importance cannot be 
overlooked. The impact educators have on future generations is 
paramount. This responsibility is made all the greater when the focus 
is on children with special needs. Mr. Walker has taken this 
responsibility and welcomed it throughout his career.
  In 1972, Mr. Walker began his career as a special education teacher 
in Montgomery County, KY. Six years later, he became a field service 
consultant for the Bureau of Education for Exceptional Children for the 
Kentucky Department of Education.
  Mr. Walker jumped back into the classroom in 1980 when he accepted 
the position as Special Education Work Study Program coordinator and 
Athletics Director at Bourbon County High School. In 1982, he returned 
to Montgomery County, where he began his teaching career. He spent the 
next 9 years serving in several capacities including, special education 
coordinator, early childhood coordinator, chairman of the Northeastern 
Bluegrass Education Cooperative Project, and Assistant Principal at 
J.B. McNabb Middle School.
  A change in profession occurred in 1991 when he left the education 
field to become an assistant vice president at Montgomery Traders Bank, 
where he was a loan specialist. His absence in the Montgomery County 
school system was noticed and in 1993, Mr. Walker returned as the 
Director of Special Education and the Director of Public Relations.
  In 1999, he was named the Executive Director of the Central Kentucky 
Special Education Cooperative. This cooperative aims to enhance the 
educational opportunities for its students by allowing the Kentucky 
Department of Education, school districts, and state universities to 
work together. The important work of this cooperative has taken place 
because of the leadership of Mr. Walker.
  Mr. President, today I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and 
recognizing the career of this outstanding Kentuckian, Mr. Clatis 
Walker.

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