[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 8546]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               PAYING TRIBUTE TO LOIS AND JERRY TARKANIAN

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                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 30, 2007

  Mr. PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Lois and Jerry 
Tarkanian for their commitment and dedication to the Clark County 
community and congratulate them on being selected by the Clark County 
School Board to have a new middle school named in their honor.
  Lois Tarkanian has been actively involved in a number of 
organizations dedicated to improving the lives of Nevadans. After 
receiving her Bachelors of Arts in education, a Master of Arts in 
Speech Pathology as well as a Doctorate in leadership and human 
behavior, a certificate in speech pathology, language, and audiology, 
Lois began a long and distinguished teaching career. She wanted to give 
more to her community and expand her knowledge as she worked as a 
speech pathologist, principal, central office administrator and as a 
college instructor both in Nevada and California. Lois has also served 
as a member of the Clark County Board of School Trustees for 12 years. 
In addition to her commitment to enriching the lives of her students, 
Lois has also conducted clinical work with autistic, deaf and aphasic 
children. Presently, Lois serves as the Las Vegas City Councilwoman in 
the 1st Ward, a position she has held since 2005, she also serves on 
the City of Las Vegas Real Estate Committee and Yucca Mountain Nuclear 
Repository Committee.
  In addition to her professional success, Lois also has a number of 
philanthropic pursuits. She serves as a board member for the Catholic 
Charities, the Clark County Public Education Foundation, Family and 
Child Treatment Center for Abused Children and the Oralingua School for 
the Hearing Impaired. Lois has received a number of accolades as a 
result of her dedicated services, such as the Humanitarian of the Year 
by the Catholic Community Services, and the Distinguished Woman of 
Nevada and Citizen of the Year by the Nevada Family and Child Treatment 
Center.
  Jerry Tarkanian played basketball for Fresno State and later earned 
his master's degree with honors in Educational Management. Along with 
his wife, they understand the importance of education and donated 
$100,000 to the University of Fresno State's Madden Library and 
initiated the ``Baskets for Books Program''. In addition to his 
dedicated service of enriching the lives and educational experiences of 
students, Jerry is known for his exceptional coaching abilities. He 
started coaching in 1956 at San Joaquin Memorial High School. On the 
collegiate level, he has coached Long Beach State, Fresno State and 
UNLV. Jerry has spent over 38 seasons as a head coach in collegiate 
basketball. Not only has he taken Fresno State to NCAA Tournament 
appearances in 2000 and 2001, 2001 WAC title and 2002 WAC Tournament 
Championship, but he has lead UNLV to four NCAA Final Four appearances 
and a national championship in 1989-1990. In 1999, Jerry was inducted 
into the California Community College Sports Hall of Fame. Jerry has an 
exemplary coaching record, having never had a losing season. 
Furthermore, Jerry has had 42 of his players drafted to the NBA's with 
12 first round picks.
  The Tarkanian's continue to support their love of education through a 
number of avenues, such as speaking engagements at hospitals and school 
rallies.
  Madam Speaker, I am proud to honor Lois and Jerry Tarkanian. Their 
dedication to education and the community are truly commendable and 
have enriched countless lives. I congratulate them on their much 
deserved recognition by the Clark County School District in having a 
school named after them. I am certain that this educational 
establishment will embody the education excellence that the Tarkanian's 
have long advocated.

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