Congressional Record—Senate S2501
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April 14, 2011 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE S2501 1980s and 1990s he returned to teaching, the ‘‘Federal City,’’ and at the national and committees with the California returning to teach at his alma maters, and international scope of work taking Department of Education, U.S. Depart- the University of Notre Dame, where place there every day. Stennis is an es- ment of Education and U.S. Depart- he helped found the Kroc Institute for sential part of NASA’s mission today, ment of Health and Human Services. International Peace Studies, and the due largely to Roy’s commitment for Ray isn’t afraid to fight for Cali- University of Cincinnati College of over 40 years. His footprints will long fornia schools. He has advocated on be- Law. But even in academia, Jack re- remain along the paths and roads of half of teachers and students in Cali- mained active in politics and public that center, which has become a unique fornia by testifying on Capitol Hill service. In 1999, at the age of 78, the asset for our Nation. about the importance of increasing former Congressman-turned-Governor Roy Estess’ legacy continues to in- funding for title I and special edu- served on the Board of Education for fluence the future of Stennis and the cation programs, as well as saving Cincinnati Public Schools. gulf coast with the construction of the teachers’ jobs. And throughout his commitment to INFINITY Science Center. This project Ray dedicated himself to serving his public service, Jack Gilligan has re- was his vision and dream, and one that country in other ways. He served in the mained a steadfast family man. He will carry on his effective, but unas- U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. married Katie Dixon, with whom he suming, way of inspiring passion for I admire Ray’s hard work, dedication raised four children before she died in science, education and space explo- and commitment to raising academic 1996. He since remarried to Susan ration. achievement and turning around low- Freemont, a family practice physician Roy Estess was a true leader who left performing schools. As Los Angeles from Cincinnati. an indelible mark on me, on the State Unified School District Super- As the family patriarch, he has in- of Mississippi, and on our Nation and intendent, Ray concentrated on im- spired his children Donald, Kathleen, the world.∑ proving instruction and teacher qual- John, and Ellen to pursue the public f ity. Under his leadership, the district good. Kathleen now serves as U.S. Sec- experienced a 16-point increase on the TRIBUTE TO RAMON C. CORTINES retary of Health and Human Services, 2010 California Academic Performance having previously served as Governor ∑ Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I Index. The district’s overall score of Kansas the only time in our Nation’s wish to honor Ramon C. Cortines, his topped the 700 threshold for the first history that a father and daughter distinguished career and his dedication time. Ray restructured the first school have served as Governors. Secretary to improving our Nation’s schools. in the district—Fremont High School. Sebelius helped pass the most impor- Cortines is retiring today after 55 years Ray’s leadership style is no-nonsense tant health care law since the creation in public education. and I applaud him for what he has ac- of Medicare and Medicaid, enacted with I know Ramon, or ‘‘Ray,’’ as the su- complished. the help of her father nearly 50 years perintendent of the Los Angeles Uni- All of us who care about providing earlier. To Jack’s family, thank you fied School District in Los Angeles, every student with a quality education for sharing him with a grateful State CA—the Nation’s second largest school will miss him. and a grateful Nation. district. I applaud Ray for being a zeal- I congratulate Ray on his years of re- 2011 marks the 90th birthday of John ous advocate on behalf of the Los An- markable service to our Nation and to ‘‘Jack’’ Gilligan’s and the 40th anniver- geles Unified School District and the our State’s education system. We are sary of his leadership as Ohio’s Gov- State of California. His tireless efforts grateful to him for his leadership and ernor. To Jack, I thank you for your helped to bring Federal funding and re- commitment to making the classroom service and for your counsel. And form to its schools, especially during a better place for our students. I am thank you for your continued belief this difficult time of budget cuts and sure that his students and colleagues that the fight for social and economic teacher layoffs. will always remember the impact he justice is always worth it, so long as Ray has committed himself to edu- made on their lives and their commu- we remember who we fight for and cating young minds. His career started nities.∑ what we stand for. with humble beginnings as a teacher in f Happy Birthday, Governor. elementary, middle and high schools. After his first teaching job in Aptos, REMEMBERING RICHARD ‘‘DICK’’ f Ray became a teacher and adminis- ELIASON ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS trator in Covina, CA. ∑ Ms. MURKOWSKI. Mr. President, His career flourished, taking him to today I honor the life and service of administrative positions of principal, Richard ‘‘Dick’’ Eliason. Dick passed REMEMBERING ROY ESTESS assistant superintendent, administra- away on April 3, 2011. He will be re- ∑ Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, I wish tive director and superintendent. Ray membered for his decades of service to today to celebrate and commemorate became an administrator for 4 years Alaska and his steadfast commitment the life and legacy of Roy Estess, who and superintendent of schools for 11 to sensible, long-term management of served as the Director of Stennis Space years in Pasadena, CA; superintendent Alaska’s fisheries. Dick was the first Center from 1989 until 2002. in San Jose, CA, for 2 years; super- Alaskan nominated to the 2006 Wild Roy passed away in June 2010, and his intendent in San Francisco for 6 years; Salmon Hall of Fame at the Pacific life will be honored at a ceremony at and New York City Schools chancellor Northwest Salmon Center for his lead- Stennis Space Center on May 2, 2011. for 2 years. ership primarily in banning fin fish I will always remember Roy as a son Ray also recognizes the importance farming in Alaska and his work on the of Mississippi whose personal qualities of higher education. He has acted as a ‘‘Wild Stock Priority.’’ contributed greatly to the growth of consultant to the University of Cali- Dick was born in Seattle, WA, on Oc- NASA and its presence in our State. fornia, the California State University tober 14, 1925. As an only child he spent Today, we recognize Roy Estess as one and the California Community College his childhood fishing between Wash- of the giants in NASA history because systems. ington and Port Alexander with his of his leadership, intellect, integrity Ray’s leadership didn’t stop at the parents, George and Elsie Eliason. The and vision. local level. In December 1992, he family decided to move to Sitka in 1939 It was always a pleasure to visit with chaired a U.S. Department of Edu- where he attended Sitka High School. Roy in Washington or at the Stennis cation transition team for then-Presi- Following high school, during World Space Center because he was both a vi- dent-elect Clinton. Ray served as a sen- War II Dick spent 3 years aboard a sub sionary and a pragmatist. He was a ior adviser to former U.S. Secretary of chaser in the Navy patrolling the Ha- great friend and a trusted source of Education Richard Riley. He was also waiian Islands. good advice and counsel for me nominated to serve as Assistant Sec- In 1950, Dick met Nurse Betty throughout my career. retary of Education for Intergovern- Gemmell from Montana and married I continue to marvel at the growth of mental Affairs by President Bill Clin- her. Together they had five children; Stennis, which came to be known as ton. He served on numerous task forces Greta, George, Ida, Richard, Jr. and VerDate Mar 15 2010 01:06 Oct 29, 2011 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00043 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\RECORD11\RECFILES\S14AP1.REC S14AP1 bjneal on DSK2TWX8P1PROD with CONG-REC-ONLINE S2502 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE April 14, 2011 Stanley. Betty passed away in 1981 and also played important roles in ernor, William Egan, and was ap- later Dick married Patricia McConnell. poststatehood modern Alaska. Very pointed the first commissioner of the As a young man, Dick was very busy few of our 50 states can boast that its Alaska Department of Public Safety owning a succession of fishing boats, founders are still around to guide the In November 1959, Judge Fitzgerald bartending at the American Legion, current generation of leaders. Alaska was selected to be one of the first eight and working for many years as a pipe- has been deeply fortunate in this re- judges of the newly created Alaska Su- fitter. While the early years were spect. And we’ve never taken the wis- perior Court, which is our trial court. tough raising his growing family, he dom of these individuals for granted. Prior to Alaska’s admission to the certainly succeeded in raising a loving I speak today to honor the life of one statehood, the Federal Government family. He continued to work as a com- of these individuals who passed away maintained the judicial system for the mercial fisherman for nearly 70 years.