[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 15, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E814]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO EDEN PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______


                            HON. JIM RAMSTAD

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 1996

  Mr. RAMSTAD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to praise the entire Eden 
Prairie High School community for being named winner of the U.S 
Department of Education's prestigious Blue Ribbon Award.
  The Department of Education could not have selected a more deserving 
high school for this highly coveted honor. When it comes to a 
comprehensive and successful approach to excellence in teaching, 
student achievement, leadership and parental involvement, Eden Prairie 
has, for a long time, set a lofty standard.
  Mr. Speaker, this high distinction was well earned. Everyone at Eden 
Prairie High School played a role in achieving this extraordinary level 
of educational excellence.
  Under the visionary leadership of a most remarkable man, Principal 
Arne Johnson, Eden Prairie High School has flourished. Arne is always 
there for each and every student. He provides at all hours of the day a 
willing ear, an understanding shoulder and a marvelous and diverse 
source of advice and encouragement.
  Former superintendent Jerry McCoy and new superintendent Bill Gaslin 
have also been instrumental in preparing the fertile ground and 
providing the necessary resources to grow the special love for learning 
that exists at Eden Prairie. The students have blossomed under their 
effective management.
  A school board full of caring and committed citizens has selflessly 
devoted the time, talent and energy necessary to make Eden Prairie High 
School one of the best in all of America.
  This historic designation was accomplished through the pioneering and 
innovative contributions of a truly dedicated administrative staff and 
dynamic collection of committed teachers. Their deep and unwavering 
commitment to the students forms the foundation for a very special 
relationship with the young people at Eden Prairie High School. The 
teachers and staff have gone above and beyond all reasonable 
expectations to help kids, from the extra hours spent coaching and 
teaching extracurricular events to their efforts to bolster their 
professional credentials through additional postsecondary education.
  Mr. Speaker, another key ingredient in the overwhelming success of 
Eden Prairie High School has been the precedent-setting and inspiring 
level of involvement by parents and members of the community. In this 
day and age when we in Congress hear so much blame being placed on the 
lack of participation by parents in their children's education. Eden 
Prairie's parents and other residents stand out as a shining lighthouse 
of an example of the miracles that can happen when adults take the time 
to help out at their schools.
  But, Mr. Speaker, the No. 1 reason Eden Prairie High School has been 
chosen as a Blue Ribbon Award winner is its spirited students. This 
student body is focused in a most impressive way on real achievement 
and a relentless pursuit of the highest standards of excellence. The 
students have worked hard to create a safe, supportive and drug-free 
environment. They have worked hard to establish a record of academic 
excellence across the board.
  From student leadership to participation in public service projects 
to help people in need in the community, from the heavy emphasis on 
scholastic achievement to the enthusiastic way they revel in the 
success of their classmates, the students of Eden Prairie High School 
deserve to claim this national honor as their own. The students at Eden 
Prairie High School are the kind of young people any parent would be 
proud to call their own.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating the entire Eden Prairie 
High School Community on a job well done and for setting such a 
powerful example of what can be accomplished by a school if everyone 
pitches in and strives to do their best.
  Today we salute Eden Prairie High School as a blue ribbon award 
winner and for proving that schools all across America can succeed if 
everyone puts their minds and hearts into the effort like they do at 
Eden Prairie High School.

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