[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 46 (Friday, March 29, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E521]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     SPRING MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL

                                 ______


                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 29, 1996

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to call attention to 
the School City of Hammond and the Parent Advisory Council of the 
bilingual education program for holding its Spring Multicultural 
Festival. This year's festival, entitled ``Linking Worlds,'' will be 
held today, March 29, 1996 at the Dynasty Ballroom and Conference 
Center in Hammond, IN.
  The School City of Hammond possesses a population that is rich in 
diversity of backgrounds and languages. This is reflected in the growth 
of families with a native language other than English. From 1970 to 
1990, the number of students from non-English-speaking homes has grown 
from 977 to 2,306. To meet the needs of these students, the School City 
of Hammond proposed and received a grant from the U.S. Department of 
Education, which was implemented in September, 1991.
  The mission of the School City of Hammond Bilingual Education Program 
is to provide a quality education for all students requiring language 
skill development. The program implements individualized instruction 
with an emphasis on reading and language arts in the English language. 
All skills are reinforced by computer. While the focus of the School 
City of Hammond is English instruction, the bilingual education program 
also provides the opportunity to learn up to 33 other languages.
  I would like to recognize the following administrators and board 
members who make this incredible program possible. The Hammond School 
Board of Trustees includes: Mrs. Rebecca Ward, president; Mrs. 
Albertine M. Dent, vice-president; Mrs. Linda C. Lawson, secretary; Dr. 
David O. Dickson, superintendent; Mr. Gerald J. Mazur; and Mr. Jay K. 
Potesta.
  The School City of Hammond Bilingual Education Program staff 
includes: Ms. Peggy Dellahoussaye-Kroc, director, Ms. Elena Rivera-
Cruz; resource coordinator; Ms. Graciela Kamer, parent coordinator; Mr. 
Piedad Kerr, language assessor; and Ms. Nilsa Santiago, divisional 
secretary.
  The Parent Advisory Council includes: Ms. Rosa Leyva, president; Ms. 
Teresa Turrubiates, secretary; Ms. Josefina Acosta, assistant 
secretary; Ms. Agustina Alcantar, treasury; Ms. Norma Solis and 
honorary members, Ms. Norma Solis, and Mr. Guadalupe Turrubiates.
  The success rate of the bilingual program has been phenomenal. Within 
3 years, the program has expanded from serving 2 schools to 13 schools. 
Moreover, the School City of Hammond now has the largest limited 
English proficient population in northwest Indiana, and the bilingual 
program has prompted an outpouring of support from the Hispanic 
community for student activities, including a small folklore dance 
group. Furthermore, the program has collaborated with businesses, 
including American Maize, and NBD and Calumet National Banks.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to join 
me in a heartfelt message of congratulations to the School City of 
Hammond and the Parent Advisory Council for their celebrated success 
with the bilingual education program. This truly shows that a school 
system and parental group can work harmoniously together to produce a 
beneficial program for everyone in Indiana's First Congressional 
District. The members of this collaborative project should be proud of 
their efforts to successfully preserve all ethnic cultures.

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