[Page H9103]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING RITA BISHOP

  (Mr. CLINE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. CLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Roanoke 
Superintendent of Schools, Rita Bishop.
  Superintendent Bishop has served the students of Roanoke City for 
more than 12 years and will retire at the school year's end. Her tenure 
is marked with significant accomplishments, and I applaud the passion 
she exudes for the students of her district.
  During her time of service to the community, graduation rates 
improved from 60 percent in 2007 to now over 90 percent. Further, under 
her leadership, all schools have achieved full accreditation division 
wide, a feat that had never before been accomplished.
  Additionally, Ms. Bishop was essential in launching Roanoke's summer 
enrichment program RCPS-Plus. This program seeks to address what is 
known as the ``summer slide'' by ensuring knowledge is not lost between 
school years. Last summer, a record 3,400 students enrolled in this 
program.
  I want to thank Ms. Bishop for her dedication to improving the city's 
education system and wish her a happy, well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________