[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 89 (Monday, June 17, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1098]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              TRIBUTE TO FORT ZUMWALT MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIRS

                                 ______


                          HON. JAMES M. TALENT

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 17, 1996

  Mr. TALENT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Fort 
Zumwalt North Middle School seventh and eighth grade concert choirs 
from O'Fallon, MO.
  Over the past 2 years, under the skilled guidance of their director, 
Mr. Gregory S. LeSan, the North Middle School choirs have been honored 
with numerous trophies and plaques in national-level competitions. 
These include, competitions at Six Flags Over Mid-America where both 
the seventh and eighth grade choirs received top honors, and the Worlds 
of Fun competition, where once again, both choirs took home first 
prize. In addition, they have also performed in several invitationals 
such as, the 1996 Music Educators National Convention in Kansas City, 
where they represented the entire State of Missouri.
  However, perhaps their greatest accomplishment thus far, came with 
their invitation to compete July 9 through 14, 1996, in the Llangollen 
International Musical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. This is the 
first time in the 50-year history of this world-renowned competition 
that a public middle school from the United States of America has ever 
been accepted to sing in this audition-selected international event. 
This is a rare opportunity to represent their community, the State of 
Missouri, and the United States of America in a competition that 
represents over 50 countries.
  Mr. Speaker, these young people are to be commended for their 
continued hard work and dedication to excellence, which has brought not 
only their school nationwide recognition, but is also a source of great 
pride to the residents of O'Fallon, MO. It is with great pride that I 
congratulate these students and recognize the contributions they have 
made while at Fort Zumwalt North Middle School.

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