ABOUT WILLIAM LEHMAN

William Lehman

Our school is named after Mr. William Lehman. Mr. Lehman spent most of his life serving the people of the state of Florida at both local and national levels. He worked as a businessman, a teacher, a School Board member, and a United States Congressman. Throughout his career, he has truly dedicated himself to the public, especially education.

William Lehman was known to Dade County Public Schools as a teacher and a member of the School Board, where he served from 1966 to 1972 as both a member and a chairman. In 1972, Mr. Lehman was elected to Congress. Since his interest in education issues was his primary reason for getting into politics, he was awarded a seat on the Education and Labor Committee. During his first years in Congress, William Lehman was instrumental in passing legislation that championed full educational opportunities for mentally and physically-challenged students, and the use of schools after hours for community efforts. He was also responsible for introducing the bill that ultimately names March 21, 1975 as the first Earth Day. 

Further into his career in Congress, William Lehman became a member of the Appropriations Committee and was chairman of the Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee. While on this committee, he helped obtain funding for the Metrorail and Metromover.After his retirement from Congress in 1993, William Lehman continued to play an active role in education. He was a supporting member of the Peace Education Foundation and frequently visited Washington D.C. to ensure continuing progress for children and education.

On March 16, 2005, Mr. William Lehman passed away at the age of 91.