[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 39 (Wednesday, April 13, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 13, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF HARLANDALE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT'S CENTENNIAL 
                              CELEBRATION

                                 ______


                           HON. FRANK TEJEDA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 13, 1994

  Mr. TEJEDA. Mr. Speaker, I am personally honored to pay tribute to 
the Harlandale Independent School District, located in the heart of San 
Antonio's southside, on the celebration of 100 years of education. This 
centennial celebration offers us the opportunity to look back at a 
distinguished history and look ahead to a challenging and productive 
future.
  In many ways, the history of Harlandale reflects the history of San 
Antonio. With the opening of Mission San Jose in 1720 by Padre Antonio 
Margil de Jesus, formal education began in what has today become the 
proud Harlandale Independent School District. A century ago, in 1894, 
Captain David Morrill Poor donated land leading to the construction of 
the Morrill Chapel School. Near that site today stands the Morrill 
Elementary School, a lasting tribute to the generosity and vision of 
the past. Harlandale is proud of its unique historical background and 
rich cultural heritage. We should all take stock in that pride and 
sense of history and purpose.
  From that one small school on the corner of what is today Greenwood 
and East Sayers Avenue, Harlandale Independent School District has 
grown into some 25 education centers. With more than 2,000 employees, 
the school district serves 15,000 students. The art of teaching has 
changed dramatically from the days of the Morrill Chapel School. 
Today's students and teachers benefit from computer-aided instruction 
and satellite networking. The school district keeps its goals clearly 
in site: To give our school children, tomorrow's leadership, the 
incentive and tools to excel.
  Only a few short days ago, the House of Representatives reaffirmed 
its commitment to our public education system by passing the improving 
America's Schools Act, continuing an American tradition as old as the 
Nation. Our national leaders long ago recognized the importance of 
education to freedom and democracy. Inscribed in the Halls of the U.S. 
capitol are the words of Thomas Jefferson: ``Enlighten the people 
generally, and tyranny and oppressions of mind and body will vanish 
like evil spirits at the dawn of day.'' More recently, President Lyndon 
Johnson observed that nothing is more important to our national 
security and well-being than the education of our children. Harlandale, 
with its many talented teachers and administrators, has and continues 
to contribute to our Nation by providing the raw tools to allow our 
children to compete in the technologically complex world of tomorrow. I 
am fully confident that Harlandale will celebrate its bicentennial, 
looking forward to another 100 years of progress and achievement.

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