[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 45 (Thursday, March 28, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E488]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CITIZENS FROM FORT WORTH EARN EDUCATIONAL HONORS

                                 ______


                           HON. MARTIN FROST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 28, 1996

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
acknowledge two outstanding citizens from the city of Forth Worth who 
have won national education honors and made themselves shining examples 
to their community.
  When Shirley Knox-Benton, who is the principal of Dunbar High School 
in Fort Worth, first arrived at the school she encountered a situation 
where students were unable to learn. Gang violence was rampant, trash 
was everywhere, and good students were afraid to shine.
  Mr. Speaker, along with the invaluable help from some dedicated 
parents, Mrs. Knox-Benton turned Dunbar High around. That success has 
not gone unnoticed, as this week Mrs. Knox-Benton was notified that she 
had won a 1996 Reader's Digest American Hero in Education award along 
with a $10,000 check for Dunbar High and $5,000 for herself.
  Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Knox-Benton is the first Fort Worth winner in this 
8-year program. She was chosen from a pool of 650 nominees nationwide. 
Her commitment to excellence, and her leadership at this critical time 
in our Nation's education system both deserve the highest honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to honor a student at Dunbar High, senior 
Kim Wood. Mr. Wood is the only student in the Fort Worth school 
district to win a National Achievement Scholarship for Black Americans.
  Mr. Wood won the award by scoring in the 98th percentile among all 
juniors nationwide and in the top 3 percent among black students on the 
Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test.
  Mr. Speaker, by winning these national honors, Mrs. Knox-Benton and 
Mr. Wood have held themselves up as shining examples of what can be 
accomplished through hard work and a dedication to success. I wish them 
both the best in their future endeavors.

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