U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings today made the following statement on the death of Cecil Picard, retired superintendent of education for Louisiana:

Cecil Picard was one of our nation's foremost education leaders and a devoted public servant to the people of Louisiana for more than three decades. His leadership inspired a lasting commitment to excellence in education for all students, despite times of trial in the wake and aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. As superintendent of education, his dedication to the improvement and reform of Louisiana's education system helped spur national dialogue on the importance of accountability in our schools. America is grateful for his commitment to educational improvement and the advancement of students in Louisiana and throughout our nation. My colleagues join me in sending condolences and prayers to the Picard family.

###

Top

Back to February 2007