[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18882]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO DR. CARL WONG

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 2, 2010

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my 
colleague, Representative Lynn Woolsey, to honor Dr. Carl Wong, an 
outstanding educator for 38 years who is retiring as the Sonora County 
Superintendent of Schools. Dr. Wong is a distinguished director whose 
work in this elected position provides countywide leadership, support, 
and fiscal oversight for the K-12 public school system, which is 
comprised of 40 school districts and 71,000 students.
  A dedicated educator committed to the philosophy of public school 
education and to the welfare of students, Dr. Wong is a first 
generation Chinese-American from humble origins. Living in the federal 
housing projects in Valero, California where his father was employed at 
the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Dr. Wong graduated from Napa High 
School and first pursued a career as a machinist at the Shipyard. 
Enrolling in night school through Napa Community College, Dr. Wong 
earned his degree and teaching credential at Chico State University. He 
began his career in education as a math and industrial arts teacher at 
Helix High School in San Diego County, later returning to school to 
become a counselor and administrator. As a full-rime faculty member and 
administrator, Dr. Wong earned his Ph.D. in education from Northern 
Arizona University.
  In 1997, Dr. Wong returned to his home in Northern California, 
becoming superintendent of Petaluma City Schools, the second largest 
school district in Sonoma County. In this post, Dr. Wong successfully 
pioneered a framework to build collaboration and understanding between 
the district's major divisions to better serve youth. First elected 
Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools in 2002 and re-elected in 2006, 
Dr. Wong is credited with working with the County Board of Education, 
district and school administrators, and faculty to restructure and 
better serve local districts, helping them align themselves toward more 
continuity while building consensus for a shared, countywide vision.
  The recipient of many awards and recognitions, Carl Wong is a 
compassionate mentor, both to students and to colleagues. His 
background gives him a unique understanding of students who don't excel 
in traditional academic settings. He is a tireless advocate whose goal 
is to prepare all students to become productive citizens engaged in the 
democratic process. An active community speaker, Dr. Wong gives 
generously of his time and energies, serving on numerous boards and 
councils, including the Board of Supervisors' appointee to the Sonoma 
County Workforce Investment Board, the United Way of Wine Country 
Board, and the Santa Rosa Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force.
  Madam Speaker, Dr. Carl Wong is a very talented man, a man of 
remarkable commitment and it is therefore appropriate to honor him 
today and to wish him well in his next endeavor. Congratulations, Carl 
Wong--you will be missed!

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