[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14550]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. SUSAN J. RAINEY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 9, 2008

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
an individual whose dedication and educational contributions to the 
community of Riverside, California, are exceptional. Riverside has been 
fortunate to have dynamic and dedicated community leaders who willingly 
and unselfishly give their time and talent and make their communities a 
better place to live and work. Dr. Susan Rainey is one of these 
individuals. On July 31, 2008, Dr. Rainey will end a decade of service 
to the students and families of the Riverside Unified School District, 
and her retirement will also mark the end of a 40-year career in 
education. On July 23, 2008, a dinner will be held in Dr. Rainey's 
honor.
  Dr. Rainey has been with the Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) 
since July 1998 and led the District through many challenges and 
achievements. Under her leadership, RUSD schools have consistently 
achieved academic gains. RUSD has built nine new schools and modernized 
many others. Two of the schools have been named No Child Left Behind 
National Blue Ribbon Schools and 23 schools have earned the California 
Distinguished School Award. Individually, many students have excelled 
in sports, academics, and the arts. Under Dr. Rainey's leadership, each 
student has been afforded every opportunity for success through such 
programs as the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) 
program.
  Prior to joining RUSD, Dr. Rainey worked for the Yucaipa, Palo Alto, 
Redlands, Monrovia, Brea-Olinda, Hemet and Charter Oak school 
districts. She also has been involved in numerous professional and 
community organizations including: the Rotary Club of Riverside; 
American Heart Association; Association of California School 
Administrators; California City School Superintendents; Riverside 
Association of School Managers; California Association of large 
Suburban School Districts; and the United Way. Dr. Rainey also serves 
as a docent at the Mission Inn in Riverside.
  The success of the Riverside Unified School District can be 
attributed to the strong and inspiring leadership of retiring District 
Superintendent Dr. Susan Rainey. RUSD has produced National History Day 
and California State Science Fair, Envirothon, and Mock Trial winners, 
innumerable California Interscholastic Federation champions and world 
class artists and musicians. RUSD is home to several Riverside County 
principals and teachers of the year who have set a standard of 
excellence for others to follow.
  Dr. Rainey's tireless passion for education has contributed immensely 
to the betterment of the community of Riverside, California. I am proud 
to call Dr. Rainey a fellow community member, American and friend. I 
know that many community members, teachers, administrators and students 
are grateful for her service and salute her as she retires.

                          ____________________