October 21, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 166 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1314]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING ROSEMARY PARGA DURAN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 21, 2019

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. RoseMary Parga 
Duran as she retires from her position as Superintendent of Merced City 
School District. Throughout her 43 years in education, Dr. Parga Duran 
has made a positive impact on countless Merced schools and students.
  Dr. Parga Duran earned her associate degree from Merced College and 
completed her bachelor's degree from California State University, 
Fresno (Fresno State). After graduating from Fresno State in 1977, she 
returned to Merced County to begin her teaching career at Planada 
Elementary School. Later in her career, she received a master's degree 
from California State University, Stanislaus and a doctorate from the 
University of Southern California.
  In 1985, she started her career with Merced City School District as a 
teacher and would later become an assistant principal, principal, and 
in 2002 was named the district's Associate Superintendent of 
Educational Services. Six years later, Dr. Parga Duran became Merced 
City School District's first female superintendent.
  As the leader of Merced County's largest school district, Dr. Parga 
Duran has worked tirelessly to address the challenges facing the 18 
schools in the district. She began her job as superintendent during the 
great recession and led the district through this period without any 
employee layoffs, while keeping the district's budget fiscally solvent. 
Dr. Parga Duran was an advocate for the successful passage of Measure 
M, a bond which provided funds for school campuses to modernize and 
receive necessary safety upgrades.
  Under Dr. Parga Duran's leadership, Merced City School District 
received two Golden Bell Awards from the California School Boards 
Association for their STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, 
math) and preschool programs. She also oversaw the opening of Rivera 
Middle School and their STEAM Center. It is evident that Dr. Parga 
Duran's contributions to Merced City School District will continue to 
have an impact on our educators and future generations of leaders long 
after her retirement.
  Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring the career 
and accomplishments of Dr. RoseMary Parga Duran. It is both fitting and 
appropriate that we honor her and the positive impact she has made in 
the lives of students and staff as she celebrates her retirement. I 
wish Dr. Parga Duran, her family, and Merced City School District the 
best as she retires at the end of this year.

                          ____________________