[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       TRIBUTE TO THE ROMULUS HIGH SCHOOL PROJECT SERVICE PROGRAM

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                          HON. WILLIAM D. FORD

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 24, 1994

  Mr. FORD of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
dedicated young group of students from the Project Service Program at 
Romulus High School. These students have spent the past year building a 
sense of public service and voluntarism which has improved the image 
and tenor of their community.
  Project Service is a student volunteer service program which 
encourages youth to use their community service skills to improve the 
environment and image of the city and schools of Romulus. They have 
initiated several projects to achieve this goal. Throughout the year, 
the students have concentrated their energies on five main areas of 
service.
  Romulus High School students were concerned about the image of their 
community in the news media and used a number of strategies to change 
this perception. By inviting members of the media to their schools and 
demonstrating the modern technology being utilized for education, they 
received favorable articles in the Detroit newspapers and established a 
positive image for Romulus.
  In addition to working on the media image of Romulus, students 
created programs to improve the physical appearance of the city and 
schools. Students cleaned school and city buildings, planted flowers, 
and painted fire hydrants. These actions contributed to the 
beautification of the city and were facilitated by community 
support and involvement. A local company donated the paint for the fire 
hydrants, creating an example for students of public responsibility.

  Students' interests in the physical appearance of their community can 
also be seen in their efforts to establish awareness of environmental 
issues. Recycling programs were created in elementary schools, students 
place warning signs by sewer drains, and existing recycling programs 
were publicized to create community involvement in caring for the 
environment.
  Often forgotten members of the community were special recipients of 
additional service programs. Students both participated in social 
activities with senior citizens groups and collected children's books 
for youth in the community who did not have books of their own. These 
programs helped to instill in the students the value of sharing their 
own abilities and talents with those in the community who have fewer 
opportunities and traditionally less support from society.
  I am encouraged by the energy and commitment of students from Romulus 
High School. In a time when it has become fashionable to characterize 
our Nation's students as unmotivated and cut off from responsibility 
for their community and society, it is heartening to note the efforts 
of dedicated students within my congressional district. These students 
who have learned to give unselfishly of their time and energy will be 
better prepared to serve their community as adults.

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