[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 15360]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             RECOGNIZING THE DEDICATION OF JOHNNY W. WELTON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELLEN O. TAUSCHER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 11, 2007

  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Madam Speaker, I rise to recognize Johnny W. Welton, 
as he retires as the director of Contra Costa Special Education Local 
Plan Area (SELPA), after 40 years of serving students in special 
education.
  Johnny W. Welton's career in special education encompasses 12 years 
as a classroom teacher, 3 years as a resource teacher, 8 years as a 
site and central office administrator and 16 years as the Director of 
the Contra Costa SELPA.
  In his role as director of SELPA, Welton established a Resource 
Parent Program, initiated Facilitation Skills training for staff IEP 
teams, and introduced Solutions Panel mediation training. Throughout 
his career, Johnny W. Welton has worked for equity, quality, reforms, 
and results in special education and conflict resolution.
  On many occasions during his illustrious career, Johnny W. Welton 
received national, State and local awards and recognition for his 
service to the children of Contra Costa County.
  Among these are: the first ``Peacemaker of the Year Award'' from the 
California Department of Education; the ``Outstanding Administrator of 
the Year Award'' presented by the Association of California School 
Administrators; a certificate of Appreciation awarded by Contra Costa 
Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; and 
the first Alternative Dispute Resolution grant from the California 
Department of Education in 1993, and in each year to follow.
  Johnny W. Welton's outstanding service to special education and 
dispute resolution more than validates his awards. He assisted in the 
reorganization and establishment of the California Department of 
Education Procedural Safeguards Unit, Compliance Monitoring Unit; he 
built partnerships between Education and other local agencies serving 
children with special needs; and he chaired the state of California 
Alternative Dispute Resolution Steering Committee.
  As Johnny W. Welton retires, I would like to thank him for his 
dedication to the quality of education of the children of Contra Costa 
County, and his leadership in the field of special education as an 
exceptional educator and SELPA Director. I wish him the best of luck in 
his future endeavors.

                          ____________________