[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 71 (Thursday, June 9, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 9, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
A TRIBUTE TO TWO SCHOLARS AND THEIR SCHOOL--SUNY LAY, AERLYN DAWN, AND 
                   LONG BEACH POLYTECHNIC HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______


                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 9, 1994

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, many times, my fellow House colleagues have 
stood in this Chamber paying tribute to young people who have brought 
honor to themselves, their families, schools, and hometowns. I have 
always applauded these words because it is crucial that we in Congress 
acknowledge the achievements of our young people and the institutions 
which have guided them. By doing so, we not only offer encouragement to 
their efforts in creating the future, but we provide role models for 
the children who will follow.
  Today, I rise to acknowledge two such outstanding young people from 
my district in southern California and the school they attend--Suny K. 
Lay and Aerlyn G. Dawn of Long Beach Polytechnic High School. Suny and 
Aerlyn were recently named to USA Today's All-USA High School Academic 
Team, a singularly impressive achievement. Only once before in the 
history of the USA Today all-USA School Academic Team competition have 
two students been named from the same school. And, in addition to Suny 
and Aerlyn, Poly High student Michael Kaminsky was given an honorable 
mention.
  For each of the past 8 years, USA Today, the national daily 
newspaper, has honored 20 high school students for their exceptional 
scholarship, intellectual achievement, and leadership roles. This year, 
more than 5,000 nominees from all 50 States and U.S. school districts 
overseas were considered by a panel of judges representing such 
organizations as the National Education Association [NEA], the National 
Association of Secondary School Principals, and the American 
Association of School Administrators.
  Both Suny And Aerly are seniors at Poly High where, in addition to 
being part of the school's highly respected PACE honors program, they 
have been actively involved in their communities. They both volunteer 
at the Cabrillo Marine Museum and serve on the Long Beach Mayor's Youth 
Task Force and the Poly Community Interracial Committee. Suny is 
principal violist with the All-District Honor Orchestra and Aerlyn is a 
member of the school's vocal and instrumental jazz ensembles. Suny uses 
her fluency in Khymer and Spanish to help non-English-proficient 
parents complete forms to register their children for school. Aerlyn 
founded a political debate society.
  The USA Today judges were particularly impressed with Suny and 
Aerlyn's interest in sharing their talents with their communities. 
Suny, concerned that the judicial system was a mystery for her fellow 
citizens, worked with local judges, lawyers, and students to organize a 
citywide moot court competition that familiarized community members 
with the justice system. Aerlyn, while working on a research project at 
the National Institutes of Health, discovered a correlation between 
genetic mutation and the onset of cerebellar ataxia, a neurological 
disease.
  Sharing in this distinction is Long Beach Polytechnic High School, a 
venerable institution in my district which has produced scholars and 
champions for almost 100 years. Indeed, both of my children are 
graduates, as are two of my staff members.
  Suny, Aerlyn, and Michael, as well as their teachers, staff, and 
administrators at Poly High, are to be congratulated for their 
achievements. USA Today is to be thanked for shining the light of 
recognition on these efforts. The work of these students and educators 
represents our hope for the future.

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