[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 53 (Thursday, May 5, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 5, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    TRIBUTE TO AVIATION HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______


                         HON. THOMAS J. MANTON

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 1994

  Mr. MANTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Aviation High 
School in Long Island City, Queens, in my congressional district. This 
very special high school first opened its doors in 1937, and has been 
at its present site for some 35 years. As is made evident by its name, 
Aviation High School specializes in aviation technology. Its remarkable 
importance, however, does not end there. This public High School 
graduates more than 300 students each year, each of whom attains a 
Federal Aviation Administration certificate in either engine 
maintenance or air frame maintenance. If they stay for a fifth year, 
they can receive both certificates. The school boasts an attendance 
rate of nearly 90 percent, and 77 percent of the entering class of 1989 
had graduated by 1992. On average, 60 percent of those graduates will 
continue on to college, often with honors, while, an additional 10 
percent will continue with other forms of higher education.
  By the time these students are 18 years old they are fully skilled 
technicians prepared for employment with any airline, large or small. 
The students do hands-on work with sheet metal and hydraulics on either 
the modern equipment donated by the major airlines, or the World War II 
planes in the hangar. They possess, in addition to expertise in current 
technology, the tools necessary to adapt to ever-changing mechanical 
procedures and designs. Aviation High School has steadily supplied New 
York airports with young, able mechanics.
  Last year, the school accepted only 480 of the 3,139 applicants. The 
student body is both motivated and disciplined, allowing the school one 
of the lowest rates of violent incidents among New York City high 
schools. Not only is the school free of graffiti and litter, but its 
walls are decorated with hand-drawn posters espousing various forms of 
responsible behavior.
  Mr. Speaker, this safe, impressive school has become a haven from the 
incidents of violence that plague other New York City high schools. The 
program offers numerous college preparatory courses in areas other than 
aviation. From the advanced programs in English, history, and calculus, 
students are free to pursue college degrees in many diverse areas of 
interest. The school not only provides many opportunities for its 
graduates, but gives them a foundation of critical thinking skills that 
allows each of them the ability to earn a good middle-class living.
  Most important, Mr. Speaker, Aviation High School provides choices 
and possibilities. I am sure that we can all appreciate, today, how 
refreshing it is to find a public high school doing so much positive 
work, and producing so many impressive members of the work force. And, 
I'm sure my colleagues will all join me in offering congratulations to 
this truly remarkable program.

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