IV 111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 586 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 25, 2009 Mr. Meeks of New York (for himself, Mr. Rush, Ms. Lee of California, Mr. Meek of Florida, Ms. Eddie Bernice Johnson of Texas, Mr. Davis of Illinois, Ms. Jackson-Lee of Texas, Mr. Ortiz, Mr. Reyes, Mr. Grijalva, Mrs. Maloney, Mr. Larson of Connecticut, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Blumenauer, Mr. McDermott, Mr. Grayson, Mr. Cummings, Ms. Fudge, Ms. Clarke, Mr. Wilson of Ohio, Mr. Driehaus, Mr. Pomeroy, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Hastings of Florida, Mr. Carson of Indiana, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Mr. Chandler, Mr. Olver, Mr. Hinchey, Mr. Scott of Virginia, Mr. Engel, Mr. Hinojosa, Mr. Connolly of Virginia, Mr. Manzullo, Mr. Tonko, Ms. Kosmas, Mr. Watt, Mr. Butterfield, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr. Towns, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mrs. Christensen, Mr. Wilson of South Carolina, Mr. Boren, Mr. Israel, Mr. Griffith, Mr. Scott of Georgia, Ms. Watson, Mr. Pastor of Arizona, Ms. Giffords, and Mr. Rahall) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor RESOLUTION Recognizing the achievements of America’s high school valedictorians of the graduating class of 2009, promoting the importance of encouraging intellectual growth, and rewarding academic excellence of all American high school students.

Whereas valedictorians are conferred as the highest academically ranked student in their high school's graduating class; Whereas our Nation's secondary schools honor their highest academically ranked students with the Valedictorian title; Whereas valedictorians have demonstrated consistency in their intellectual inquiry, academic discipline, and utilization of teacher mentoring throughout their high school careers; Whereas valedictorians serve as peer role models to fellow high school students by succeeding academically and contributing to community improvement; Whereas valedictorians are charged with the duty of giving a graduation speech that reflects upon the intellectual development and community involvement of the graduating class and inspires all graduating students to further their academic studies and social engagement; Whereas numerous valedictorians and graduating seniors will further their intellectual interests and academic studies by enrolling in universities and postsecondary educational institutions; Whereas family members, teachers, school administrators, and community members have nurtured the intellectual growth and rewarded the academic achievements of valedictorians and graduating seniors; and Whereas valedictorians and graduating seniors will become America's future civic, business, and political leaders, maintaining our Nation's global leadership position and strengthening its economic competitiveness: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)honors and recognizes the valedictorians and graduating seniors of the class of 2009 for their academic achievements and contributions to their communities; (2)encourages all valedictorians and graduating seniors to further their intellectual inquiry and academic studies in universities and postsecondary educational institutions; and (3)supports the continued social engagement of valedictorians and graduating seniors, which utilizes their knowledge and skills for the betterment of their communities and the social, cultural, and economic advancement of the Nation.