October 28, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 170 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H8463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING DR. DANIEL P. KING

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Vela) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. VELA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Daniel P. King 
for his service to the Rio Grande Valley in the State of Texas.
  Dr. King is a proven leader in the 34th Congressional District of 
Texas. As a public school superintendent for the last 14 years, he has 
guided district-wide initiatives to improve student performance and 
graduation rates across south Texas. Under his leadership as 
superintendent at Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District, the 
annual dropout rate has been reduced by more than 90 percent, and the 
overall high school completion rate now surpasses the State average. He 
also helped establish the College 3 program which aims to offer every 
single student the opportunity to earn at least 12 college hours before 
high school graduation.
  This year PSJA named its newest early college campus the Dr. Daniel 
P. King College & University Center in recognition of his 
accomplishments.
  Prior to his role at PSJA ISD, Dr. King was superintendent at Hidalgo 
Independent School District where he led the development of the first 
early college school district in the Nation. In 2006, Hidalgo ISD 
earned the H-E-B Excellence in Education Award. And in 2007 U.S. News & 
World Report named Hidalgo High the 11th best high school in the Nation 
and number one in Texas. He also earned the State Superintendent of the 
Year Award in 2006 by the Texas Association of School Boards.
  Dr. King is an influential educator, and his numerous accomplishments 
have paved the way for continued student success in south Texas. Our 
community is thankful for his contributions, and I am grateful to have 
had the opportunity to work with him.
  As we honor Dr. Daniel P. King, I also want to acknowledge his wife, 
Sara, who is a PSJA faculty member, and their six children who have 
supported Dr. King in achieving his professional goals.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join his family, our community, 
and me in wishing him a happy retirement and thanking him for his 
service.

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