Tribute in Honor of Don Richardson's Retirement From Highland Park High School

TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF DON RICHARDSON'S RETIREMENT FROM HIGHLAND PARK HIGH SCHOOL—HON. PETE SESSIONS (Extensions of Remarks - March 02, 2004)

HON. PETE SESSIONS
OF TEXAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, MARCH 2, 2004

Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to Don Richardson from Highland Park High School on the occasion of his upcoming retirement. I have the pleasure of representing Highland Park High School in Congress, and I am proud to have four alums from Highland Park High School on my staff and two of them that played football for Coach Richardson.

Coach Richardson retires as the defensive coordinator for the Highland Park Scots football team. Don Richardson has been a career educator for 34 years, including 31 distinguished years with the Highland Park Independent School District. In his capacity with the Highland Park football team, Coach Richardson has been a jack-of-all-trades. In his tenure, he has served as the head football coach, offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and defensive coordinator.

I salute Coach Richardson for the positive influence that he has had on his players and students over the last 31 years. Off the playing field, he has been an outstanding government and history teacher for Highland Park High School. Coach Richardson was selected by his teaching peers as the Highland Park High School Teacher of the Year for 1998-1999. He is a role model of leadership and dependability, and he will be greatly missed by future Highland Park football teams and by his former players and fans in the stands on Friday nights. Highland Park's football team is a benchmark of success within Dallas County year in and year out. Coach Richardson's coaching abilities greatly contribute to the team's victories on the field, as he puts his players in the best positions to make game-changing plays.

Highland Park's football team has historically been one of the best programs in the State. Highland Park ranks fourth in the State for all-time victories with 637 and is fifth in all-time playoff victories with 62.

Coach Richardson's family has played a vital role in his success over the years. Don's loving wife, Carolyn, and children, Sharla Cassiano and Kyle Richardson, have brought him great warmth and support. Sharla was an All-Sun Belt Conference volleyball player at Louisiana Tech, and Kyle played linebacker for the University of Texas Longhorns.

I wish Coach Richardson and his family a pleasant start to his well-earned retirement, and I thank him for his years of dedicated service in education.

END