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[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E698-E699]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN RECOGNITION OF DAVID REESE, PRINCIPAL OF BAKERSFIELD HIGH SCHOOL
______
HON. KEVIN McCARTHY
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, June 3, 2019
Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor David Reese, an
educator and principal at Bakersfield High School, who will be retiring
this August after 35 years of service to the students, parents, and
teachers in Bakersfield, California, which I represent.
David was born in Dodge City, Kansas in 1958 and moved to Bakersfield
with his family in 1965. David graduated from Foothill High School and
earned several accolades as part of the Foothill High School basketball
team, including winning the California State Boys Basketball
Championship in 1976 when he was a senior. David stayed in our
community for college, earning his Bachelor's degree from California
State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) and then obtaining his teaching
credential in 1984. David returned to Foothill as a teacher and coached
the boys basketball team, guiding the team to a championship in 1988.
In
[[Page E699]]
1992, David became the Dean of Students at Foothill High School, a
position where he continued to excel at serving the needs of his
students. He quickly rose through the ranks at Kern High School
District--the largest 9th through 12th grade school district in the
State of California--and became Principal of Bakersfield High School
(BHS) in 1999.
As the BHS principal, David oversaw the largest and oldest high
school in the community, which has a student body of almost 3,000
students. A principled and passionate educator, David made it his top
priority to raise graduation rates and ensure his students were
prepared for college. During his tenure at BHS, he prioritized
innovative academic programs, making the school the first to start
Project Lead the Way, an academic program designed to foster student
interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)
fields through hands-on experience and visiting local STEM-related
businesses around the community. I know that he is proud of the
multiple national championships that BHS students won in Virtual
Business, a competition where students learn how to start, operate, and
market a new business. In addition, David helped promote the Earl
Warren Cup, a civics competition for government students designed to
test their knowledge of American history and politics.
An avid supporter of the BHS Drillers athletic program, David can
often be seen cheering on student athletes at basketball, baseball,
football, softball, soccer, and volleyball games, golf, tennis, and
wrestling matches, and track & field, cross country, and swimming meets
in our community and at state championship tournaments. In recognition
of all his work at BHS and for our community, CSUB inducted David into
its Alumni Hall of Fame in 2017. And, as this year's BHS seniors
graduate, David will have presided over 19 graduation ceremonies,
having the honor of personally handing out diplomas to over 13,000
students.
On behalf of the 23rd Congressional District of California and the
thousands of students he helped educate during his time at Foothill
High School and Bakersfield High School, I want to thank David for his
work and dedication in molding the minds of our community's next
generation of leaders, helping them to acquire the skills and education
during one of the most important and formative times of their lives. I
also want to thank his wife Abby, his daughter Becky, and his sons
Tyler David and Tyler Thomas, for sharing David with us in the
community, including the many late nights and early mornings at work.
While it may be bittersweet for David to leave the school that he so
loves, I am sure that he is looking forward to the next chapter of life
and spending more time with his wife and family. I know that David will
never leave the BHS community because, as the saying goes, ``Once a
Driller, always a Driller.''
____________________
