[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 89 (Friday, May 26, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Page S7634]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       SET A GOOD EXAMPLE PROGRAM

 Mr. JOHNSTON. Mr. President, I would like to take this 
opportunity to recognize two elementary schools from Shreveport, LA, 
that placed in the top five in the 1994-95 Set a Good Example Contest 
sponsored by the Concerned Businessmen's Association of America. 
Westwood Elementary School placed first and Lakeshore Elementary School 
placed fifth in this competition, which is based on the idea that 
teaching children common sense values and encouraging them to serve as 
role models for their peers is a workable solution for preventing 
juvenile crime, drug abuse, illiteracy, and delinquency. More than 
7,500 schools and close to 7 million students have participated in this 
innovative and visionary program since its creation in 1984.
  The Set a Good Example Contest is unique because students design 
their own program to improve their school environment. The students at 
Westwood Elementary chose the theme ``Westwood Respects All,'' and 
decided to strive for a 95-percent improvement in discipline and 
behavior schoolwide. Lakeshore Elementary students decided on the 
concept ``Tell the Truth,'' and also emphasized stopping violence both 
in school and at home. The children from these two Louisiana schools 
organized several impressive activities to educate themselves and 
others on the dangers of gangs, drugs, and violence. The initiative and 
creativity they showed in organizing food drives, encouraging 
recycling, decorating their schools with antidrug and antiviolence 
slogans, and improving the environment are worthy of our admiration and 
commendation.
  I am pleased and proud to acknowledge this fine accomplishment by the 
Westwood and Lakeshore schools. These students, who will be the leaders 
of tomorrow, have shown dedication to bettering themselves and their 
environment. If this type of involvement is any indication of the way 
America's youth will address issues in the future, then we should not 
worry, for we are headed in the right direction. The bold stand against 
violence and the endorsement of positive values like honesty and 
discipline by these students should service as an outstanding example 
and inspiration for their peers. I salute the students and faculty of 
the Westwood and Lakeshore elementary schools and hope that the youth 
of our Nation will follow in your footsteps.


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