[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5779]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO DR. PATRICK CRAWFORD

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                           HON. BILL SHUSTER

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 7, 2007

  Mr. SHUSTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Patrick 
Crawford of Bedford, Pennsylvania, who has been named ``2007 
Pennsylvania Superintendent of the Year'' by a committee of his peers 
from the Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators. This 
distinguished award is given annually and is part of the National 
Superintendent of the Year Program sponsored by the American 
Association of School Administrators. It is presented to further 
inspire exemplary leadership and promote a sense of confidence and 
pride in our Nation's public schools. Dr. Crawford will be recognized 
in March at the American Association of School Administrators 
Conference on Education, where the national recipient will be chosen 
among the State nominees.
  Dr. Patrick Crawford has been superintendent of Bedford Area School 
District since 1996. His outstanding service to the Bedford area has 
included several noteworthy programs. The Superintendent's Leadership 
Academy, a 2 year leadership program for high school juniors and 
seniors; the Bedford Teacher Technology Academy, a staff development 
program that advances the use of technology in learning; and the 
Classrooms for the Future initiative which will place laptops on the 
desks of every high school student in the district. These initiatives 
all take precedence on the future of education in the Bedford area.
  In addition to the time he spends as a superintendent, Dr. Crawford 
dedicates much of his schedule to the betterment of the Bedford 
community. He has worked through organizations such as the Pennsylvania 
Leadership Development Center, the Blended Schools Virtual Learning 
Consortium, and is serving on the Learning Lamp Board of Directors. He 
is also active in community organizations, such as the Sunrise Rotary 
Club of Bedford and the Bedford County Chamber of Commerce Youth 
Leadership Program and Education Foundation.
  Nominators of Dr. Crawford cite his excellent vision and leadership 
in guiding his colleagues toward innovation and excellence, yet Dr. 
Crawford selflessly announced ``what this award really demonstrates is 
that there is a whole team of people who are working to make Bedford 
Area School District a better place.'' This modest educator is truly a 
wonderful asset to the Bedford area, as well as the State of 
Pennsylvania, and is most deserving of this prestigious honor.

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