Recognizing Brenda Welburn

Recognizing Brenda Welburn

HON. JARED POLIS

OF COLORADO IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, September 23, 2011 Mr. POLIS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the retirement of Brenda Welburn as the Executive Director of the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). Throughout Brenda's outstanding career with NASBE, she dedicated herself to supporting not only state policymakers across the 50 states but, more importantly, students all across the country. Brenda spent many years at the helm of NASBE, serving as a critical resource for state policymakers elected and appointed to State Boards of Education. During my six years of service on the Colorado State Board, Brenda and NASBE were instrumental in supporting me and all of the board in our universally shared goal of improving public education. I will never forget how we worked together to implement the requirements of No Child Left Behind and to integrate its requirements with Colorado's education accountability systems. With Brenda's help, we managed to navigate school finance decisions while communicating the benefits of public school choice, such as online learning and charter schools, and connecting traditional K-12 programs with college and careers. Throughout her remarkable tenure at NASBE, Brenda has served as a steady and thoughtful leader, actively assisting state board members across the country. Her influence has been felt coast to coast, and because of her steadfast commitment to establishing and maintaining effective education policies, children across the country have been given a greater chance to succeed. Brenda, we will miss you, but we thank you for your dedicated service and congratulate you on your retirement.

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