[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 83 (Tuesday, May 20, 2008)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E970] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [[Page E970]] STATEMENT COMMENDING THE NAMING OF THE RODERICK P. PAIGE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ______ HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of texas in the house of representatives Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize our former Secretary of Education, Dr. Rod Paige, on the occasion of the naming of an elementary school in Houston, Texas in his honor. This is certainly a well-deserved honor for Dr. Paige given his years of dedication to educational excellence, and I hope that the dedication will impact a whole new generation of students who may be inspired by all that Dr. Paige has accomplished throughout his career. On January 21, 2001, the United States Senate confirmed Dr. Roderick Paige as the 7th U.S. Secretary of Education. For Dr. Paige, the son of a principal and a librarian in public schools, that day was the crowning achievement of a long career in education. Born in 1933 in segregated Monticello, Mississippi, Dr. Paige's accomplishments speak of his commitment to education. He earned a bachelor's degree from Jackson State University in his home state, and went on to earn both a master's and a doctoral degree from Indiana University. Dr. Paige began working with students early in his career as a teacher and a coach. He then went on to serve as Dean of College of Education at Texas Southern University (TSU) for a decade. In this position Dr. Paige worked to ensure that future educators would receive the training and expertise necessary to succeed in the classroom. In 1989, Dr. Paige was sworn in as a trustee and an officer of the Board of Education of the Houston Independent School District (HISD), in which capacities he served until 1994 when he became superintendent of HISD, the nation's seventh largest school district. Dr. Paige served as the first African-American Secretary of Education from 2001-2005. During his tenure, Dr. Paige continued his mission to set new standards of educational achievement for all students. Today, Dr. Paige is the Chairman of Chartwell Education Group, an organization he co-founded to improve the quality of education for our nation's school children. The Roderick Paige Elementary School will be formally dedicated on Friday, May 23, 2008. Dr. Paige's impact on students in Houston and throughout this country will he felt for years to come. I congratulate Dr. Paige on this occasion. This is a fitting honor, and I can think of no greater individual to bestow it upon. ____________________