[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12065-12066]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                                MAC NASH

                                 ______
                                 

                              HON. TED POE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 24, 2012

  Mr. POE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, educators know that preparing students 
for future challenges is an integral part of the job. Today, I am proud 
to honor retiring Sabine Pass ISD Superintendent Malcolm ``Mac'' Nash 
for putting the entire community on his shoulders and helping to 
rebuild after Hurricane Ike.
  Mac was born in Silsbee, Texas, and spent his early years working the 
oil fields inherent to Southeast Texas. A decision to change careers 
into education seemed like a natural choice. He always enjoyed helping 
others. Mac was Superintendent of West Sabine ISD in Liberty, Texas, 
before being named to the same position in 2006 at Sabine Pass ISD, a 
small rural town about three miles from the Gulf of Mexico.
  One year earlier, Hurricane Rita made landfall almost directly over 
Sabine Pass, causing widespread damage across the area. One building 
endured the brunt of the storm better

[[Page 12066]]

than any other in the community and that was the Sabine Pass School, 
the PreK-12 campus opened in 2002. Even though it sustained millions of 
dollars in damages, the School survived and gave the community a place 
to come together.
  Mac came on board as the repairs from Rita were nearing completion. 
Hurricanes Humberto in 2007 and Gustav in August 2008, while not 
causing much damage, kept the community on its toes ready for anything. 
They did not have to wait long, as Hurricane Ike formed in early 
September 2008 before making landfall over Galveston, causing millions 
of dollars worth of damage to Sabine Pass and billions across the 
entire Gulf Coast region.
  One building stood out among the mud and debris, and that was once 
again the Sabine Pass School. Mac knew that he had control of the only 
building in town that could survive almost anything and he made sure 
that it was used to its fullest capabilities. It was a meeting place, 
shelter, staging area, and most importantly, the lighthouse in front of 
the school served as the ``Beacon of Hope'' to all citizens, a reminder 
of the fortitude necessary to weather any storm.
  Nash knew that the community needed some stability and a feeling of 
normalcy, so under his leadership, the staff worked tirelessly to 
prepare the school for a return. The Sabine Pass School reopened in 
early October, missing only 17 days of instruction. 92 percent of the 
students were back on the first day. They were not just passing time, 
either. The School would receive exemplary status from the Texas 
Education Agency that year.
  After a 6-year tenure as Superintendent of the Sabine Pass ISD, 
Malcolm Nash is stepping down. Because of his courageous leadership, he 
was named the Region 5 Superintendent of the Year for 2011-12 and is 
also in the running for the statewide title. Thanks to Mac's 
leadership, Sabine Pass is a stronger, better place to live.
  The Sabine Pass School gets the name of the ``Beacon of Hope,'' but 
the citizens will never forget the light that Malcolm Nash shined on 
the entire community.
  And that's just the way it is.

                          ____________________