Press Room
ESD 112 Flag Day ceremony honors Al Bauer, Jr.
A Flag Day ceremony to honor Former Senator Al Bauer, Jr. with the "2007 Distinguished Service to Education Award" was held June 14, 2007, in front of the flag pole at Educational Service District 112, 2500 NE 65th Ave. Senator Bauer's name will be inscribed on a permanent plaque at the base of the flag pole.
Special guest speaker Representative Bill Fromhold, who is a long-time friend and colleague of the former Senator, also attended the event. The event featured a musical performance by the Ridgefield High School Jazz Band, Directed by Phillip Scamahorn. The national anthem was performed by Sarah White, an audiologist for ESD 112. ESD 112 Veterans and families of military personnel were also acknowledged. The Vancouver Fire Department Color Guard presented the colors.
Retired State Senator Al Bauer was the moving force in education in Washington State for more than 45 years and still continues to actively advocate on behalf of schools. He served 20 years as teacher and another 25 in the state legislature.
Senator Bauer's name will be forever linked to the state's legislation that created Intermediate School Districts (now ESDs). "Individually and as a state system, we owe much of our success to Senator Bauer for providing a strong foundation on which to build," said ESD 112 Superintendent Dr. Twyla Barnes. Perhaps because of his rural background and interest in small community schools, Senator Bauer focused many of his efforts on ensuring that children receive equal educational opportunities. In 1997, Senator Bauer received the highest national honor given by the Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA) for his work supporting and advocating for regional service agencies.
The ESD 112 Board of Directors has presented just three other individuals with the Distinguished Service Award:
· Roy Garrison, ESD Board Member, 1978-2001 awarded in 2002
· Jack Weber, ESD Board Member, 1973-2003 awarded in 2003
· Don Donaldson, ESD Board Member, 1993-2005 awarded in 2005
"Senator Bauer is so richly deserving of this honor and we are looking forward to recognizing him in front of ESD staff, legislative colleagues, local dignitaries, friends and family," said Superintendent Dr. Twyla Barnes.