HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF TED ALEJANDRE

On 2026-06-11, Representative Pete Aguilar (D-CA-33) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF TED ALEJANDRE" in the House.

HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF TED ALEJANDRE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 99 (Thursday, June 11, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E567] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE RETIREMENT OF TED ALEJANDRE ______ HON. PETE AGUILAR of california in the house of representatives Thursday, June 11, 2026 Mr. AGUILAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the remarkable career of an outstanding public servant and dedicated educator, Ted Alejandre, the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. As he announces his retirement after nearly four decades of service to the youth and families of California's Inland Empire, it is appropriate that we recognize his extraordinary contributions. Ted's commitment to his country and his community has been a lifelong pursuit. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, serving with the Reserve's 701st Combat Operations Squadron. This dedication to service, duty, and excellence naturally transitioned into his second calling: public education. Over the course of his nearly 40-year career in the San Bernardino County school system, Mr. Alejandre has touched nearly every facet of the education process. He has served as a teacher, a vice principal, a principal and an Assistant Superintendent of Business Services before being elected as the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools in 2014. During his time at the helm, Ted oversaw operations for over 400,000 K-12 students across the county. He championed innovative, regional programs that expanded early literacy, pioneered digital learning to prepare students for the 21st-century workforce and fought tirelessly to ensure that every child, regardless of background, has a fair shot at success. Furthermore, as a veteran himself, Ted spearheaded the Operation Recognition Veterans Diploma Project in San Bernardino County. This incredible initiative posthumously and retroactively awarded high school diplomas to local veterans who were forced to leave school to serve our Nation during World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. This act of deep respect and gratitude exemplifies the type of leader Ted is: empathetic, grounded, and always looking to uplift those around him. As a veteran and an educator, Ted understands the tremendous importance of supporting Inland Empire high school students who want to serve our country. Serving as a member of my office's Service Academy Board and later becoming the Board President, Ted helped nominate exemplary young men and women from throughout our region for the prestigious honor of attending a United States Military Academy. Mr. Speaker, Ted Alejandre leaves behind an educational system that is stronger, more equitable, and deeply responsive to the needs of our diverse communities. While his steady, visionary leadership as County Superintendent will be deeply missed, his impact on the Inland Empire will be felt for generations to come. I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Ted Alejandre on a stellar career in education and the military, and to thank him for a lifetime of unwavering dedication to the Inland Empire and our great Nation. I wish him, his family, and his loved ones all the best in his well-deserved retirement. ____________________