[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 95 (Friday, June 8, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E816-E817]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING KENT BRAITHWAITE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS A SOCIAL 
      STUDIES AND ENGLISH TEACHER AT COACHELLA VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RAUL RUIZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 8, 2018

  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Kent 
Braithwaite on his retirement after 39 years of service as a teacher, 
counselor, and role model for the students of Coachella Valley High 
School.
  During his tenure, Mr. Braithwaite has left an indelible impression 
on countless students. As a social studies and English teacher, an 
advisor, and a mentor, he has helped countless students prepare for and 
pursue a college education. More importantly, he instilled in his 
students a lifelong love of learning.
  Many years ago, I was one of those students in Mr. Braithwaite's 
English class. I like to think I tried my best in every class--but Mr. 
Braithwaite was the kind of teacher who not only taught, but inspired 
his students to work even harder. He challenged my classmates and me 
every day, pushing us to write clearly, read carefully, and question 
the beliefs and assumptions we brought to his classroom.
  In the Coachella Valley--the region I grew up in and have the 
privilege to represent--there are still far too many young people who 
drop out of school before they can graduate or pursue a higher 
education. Teachers like Mr. Braithwaite are helping to show these 
students that they can achieve their dreams by pursuing their 
education.
  During his nearly four decades of teaching, Mr. Braithwaite has 
served his fellow teachers

[[Page E817]]

and the Coachella Valley Unified School District in various leadership 
positions, and received prestigious recognitions from the California 
State Assembly, the House of Representatives, and many local advocacy 
organizations for his excellence in teaching. Most importantly, he has 
the gratitude of thousands of Coachella Valley High School alumni.
  Mr. Braithwaite is joining his wife and fellow teacher, Jennifer 
Braithwaite, for a well-earned retirement. Over her 38-year career, 
Mrs. Braithwaite invited Holocaust survivors and Vietnam veterans to 
speak to her classes, gave out scholarships to her students, and helped 
bring the Advanced Placement program to Coachella Valley High School. 
Like her husband, Mrs. Braithwaite has always gone above and beyond to 
serve her students.
  On behalf of all the students whose lives Mr. and Mrs. Braithwaite 
have touched, I would like to offer my sincerest thanks and 
congratulations to them both on their inspiring and meaningful careers.

                          ____________________