[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11179]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO M. MAGDALENA CARRILLO MEJIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2008

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Dr. M. 
Magdalena Carrillo Mejia's years of service as the superintendent of 
the Sacramento City Unified School District. Dr. Mejia leaves a lasting 
legacy in Sacramento and she will be deeply missed. I ask all my 
colleagues to join me in honoring one of Sacramento's leaders in 
education.
  After earning her bachelor's and master's degree in Multicultural 
Education from the California State University, San Diego, Dr. Mejia 
has been a tireless advocate for education. She began her career in the 
Sweetwater Union High School District serving as a classroom teacher at 
Sweetwater High School and later at Mar Vista High School. Dr. Mejia's 
dedication to improving California's educational system led to her 1999 
appointment as superintendent in the Montebello Unified School 
District. In 2000, Dr. Mejia received a Doctorate of Philosophy in 
Educational Policy and Administration from the University of Southern 
California and was appointed superintendent of the Sacramento City 
Unified School District in 2003.
  During her time as superintendent of the Sacramento City Unified 
School District, Dr. Mejia has developed and implemented a strategic 
plan entitled ``Success for Every Student by Name.'' This plan gives 
special attention to four essential areas for improving education: 
closing the achievement gap, ensuring a successful transition from 
middle school to high school, integrating physical, social and 
emotional supports with academics, and improving parent and community 
engagement. In addition, Dr. Mejia has led other innovative initiatives 
in Sacramento. This includes seeing that the Sacramento City School 
District became the first district in California to earn an 
international certification for standardizing procedures and practices 
at the central office. She undertook a rigorous district review with 
the guidance of the Annenberg Institute for School Reform, a process in 
which only ten districts in the Nation have engaged in. In 2007, Dr. 
Mejia was instrumental in the creation of a middle school task force to 
undertake reforms at that level. This has led to increased support for 
teachers and students alike.
  Dr. Mejia has received many honors and professional recognition for 
her work in improving K-12 education. She was named the Association of 
California School Administrators Superintendent of the Year in 2006 and 
most recently she was one of the two California superintendents chosen 
by State Superintendent Jack O'Connell to represent California at the 
National Academy of Superintendents conference in Ohio. In addition Dr. 
Mejia has been awarded the first annual Administrator of the Year award 
from the California Association for Bilingual Education, named the 
Milken National Educator of the Year, and State Senator Martha 
Escutia's Woman of the Year for the 30th State Senate District.
  Madam Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Dr. M. Magdalena 
Carrillo Mejia's distinguished commitment to education here in 
Sacramento and throughout California. Dr. Mejia's outstanding 
leadership and dedication to the Sacramento City Unified School 
District has increased the performance of our schools and most 
importantly our students. We all are thankful for her efforts. As Dr. 
Mejia's husband Carlos, their two children, her colleagues, family and 
friends gather to honor her service, I ask all my colleagues to join me 
in wishing her continued good fortune in her future endeavors.

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