[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18401]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING MR. WILLIAM H. CORNELISON OF LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 15, 2006

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
career of William H. Cornelison on the occasion of his retirement as 
Lake County Superintendent of Public Schools. Mr. Cornelison's career 
in public education has been distinguished by his strong leadership and 
success expanding the facilities and service of the Lake County school 
districts.
  Mr. Cornelison was born in San Bernardino, CA, and attended the 
University of San Diego where he received a bachelor of arts degree in 
history. He finished his masters of education in 1967 and went on to 
complete a Ph.D. in educational leadership and human behavior from U.S. 
International University in San Diego in 1970.
  Mr. Cornelison arrived in Lake County after serving as a teacher and 
then principal at several schools in California. He was hired as the 
superintendent of the Middletown Unified School District in 1979. He 
moved on to Konocti Unified School District where he was superintendent 
from 1986 to 1994.
  Mr. Cornelison was elected as Lake County Superintendent of Schools 
in 1994 and has served three consecutive terms. He has made numerous 
improvements to the schools of Lake County, and has expanded a wide 
range of programs which increase the opportunities for Lake County's 
children. These include pre-school, after school, Healthy Start and 
early reading programs, all established to ensure our children receive 
the strongest possible education. He has also worked to implement 
vocational training for Lake County schools, including an innovative 
vocational agriculture program at Middletown High School.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to his work with our schools, Mr. Cornelison 
has been active in the community working to spread the same kind of 
opportunities he has provided to his students. He is a long-time 
Rotarian, including a stint as president, and sits on the boards of 
North Coast Opportunities, the Lake County Community Action Council, 
and the Sonoma-Mendocino-Lake United Way. Additionally, he is active 
with the Diocese of Santa Rosa and a member of the Queen of Peace 
Catholic Church. Like his work in schools, his volunteer work 
contributes vastly to the quality of life in Lake County.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we congratulate Mr. 
William Cornelison on the occasion of his retirement as Lake County 
Superintendent of Schools and thank him for his long service to public 
education. I wish Bill, his wife Denise and their entire family all the 
best as he begins the next chapter in his life.

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