[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 59 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E875]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         75TH ANNIVERSARY OF KENNEDY CROSSAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT A. BORSKI

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 8, 1997

  Mr. BORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the 75th 
anniversary of Kennedy Crossan Elementary School. Kennedy Crossan has 
delivered a quality education to generations of children in the 
Burholme community.
  The elementary school was named after its founder, Mr. Kennedy 
Crossan. During a time of great need in the community, Mr. Crossan 
built a two story school building and donated it to the neighborhood. 
Kennedy Crossan was a self-made man, who worked his way across America, 
eventually returning to Philadelphia at the age of 21. He formed a 
company that built railroads and the Million Dollar Pier in Atlantic 
City. Profits from this company were set aside to build what became 
Kennedy Crossan Elementary School.
  Nearly 25,000 students have passed through the hallways of this 
school. The students of Kennedy Crossan have entered the world 
prepared, and have become proud, productive citizens. The academic 
success that this school has achieved is based on a cooperative effort 
between teachers, administrators, parents, and the community.
  The Home and School Association has faithfully served and supported 
both the staff and the students at Kennedy Crossan. The school also 
receives support from outside adopters which are: Councilman Brian 
O'Neill, Pizza Hut, The Sheriff's Office, Kiwanis Club, Blue Ribbon 
Services, The Protestant Home, The Brass Boudoir, Ron Donachie from the 
2d Police Precinct and the Rising Sun Avenue Post Office.
  The precedent of community and school cooperation has also continued 
in the form of grants. In 1994, teachers secured a grant from Learn and 
Serve. This grant went to developing a program in which students 
learned tolerance and respect for different races and ages, as well as 
environmental studies. A computer lab was created with an additional 
grant. In this lab, students and staff work together to gain vital 
working knowledge of computers and the functions that they serve in the 
outside world.
  John Meehan, a community artists, and the students from last year's 
fifth grade, worked together to create a mural on the kindergarten 
portable facing Bleigh Street. The students also formed a partnership 
with the Philadelphia Zoo, to adopt the zoo's only cheetah.
  The perseverance and dedication of students, staff, parents, and the 
community, have enabled Kennedy Crossan Elementary School to deliver an 
education program that is phenomenal in its results. It is an honor for 
me to congratulate them on their 75th anniversary, and the achievements 
they have made thus far. I wish them continued success.

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