[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 64 (Thursday, May 15, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H2778]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




COMMENDING THE WHITNEY M. YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL OF CHICAGO FOR ITS ACADEMIC 
                               EXCELLENCE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Davis] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a 
group of superstars in the Seventh Congressional District in the State 
of Illinois. Often when we talk about superstars it is in the context 
of athletics, athletes, entertainment and entertainers such as Michael 
Jordan, Oprah Winfrey, the Bulls, and I am very proud that I represent 
all of them. It would be impossible to argue that Michael Jordan, the 
leader of the Chicago Bulls, based in the Seventh District of Illinois, 
the man who dazzles us with his amazing agility and ball handling 
skills, is anything but a superstar or that Scottie Pippin, who grew up 
in a little town in Arkansas not very far from my original home, he in 
Hamburg and I in Parkdale. Scottie is indeed a superstar, and I am 
proud to represent him. Likewise, Kevin Garnett, who also lived in the 
Seventh District, attended Farragut High School and went directly into 
the National Basketball Association with the Minnesota Timberwolves 
based upon his exceptional ability to master the game of basketball.
  But what about our academic superstars who have proven themselves 
capable of their ability and with their ability to master the quest for 
knowledge?
  So tonight, Mr. Speaker, I come to talk about another group of 
superstars.
  For the past 8 years the Whitney M. Young High School's Academic 
Decathlon teams have been superstars in the academic arena. They are 
the Michael Jordans and Scottie Pippins of education. The decathlon 
team's mental ability and problem solving skills have placed them in 
the top 10 in the United States Academic Decathlon's national 
competition 8 consecutive times, winning third place three times and 
second place once when the decathlon was held in Chicago in 1995. 
Whitney Young's most recent team placed third in the 1997 U.S. Academic 
Decathlon's national competition. The 9 students from Whitney Young 
High School who placed in the 1997 U.S. Academic Decathlon and the 
individuals who coached them are students, Ed Bailey, Katherine 
Megquier, Emmett Hogan, Julienna Ar, Long Trvong, Maryanne Ar, Robert 
Jefferson, Brian Piechowski, and Robert Iu; coaches, Brian Tennison and 
Ms. Susanne McCannon.
  The Whitney Young High School has produced a dynasty of superstars 
who have competed successfully over the years in the decathlon. Whitney 
Young has been the Illinois champion for the past 12 years, defeating 
teams from such academic powerhouses as the Illinois Math and Science 
Academy, New Trier, Stevens on and Niles West. One or two years might 
be a fluke. Three or four years might be viewed to exceptional hard 
work. Five or six years might be due to a few individuals making 
inordinate sacrifices. But 12 years, 12 years can only be due to an 
exceptional educational environment.
  Therefore, I commend and congratulate an outstanding principal, Ms. 
Joyce Kenner; Mr. Billy Williams, chairman; Mr. Paul Levin, vice 
chairman; Ms. Susan Hirsch, recording secretary; Ms. Anita Andrews, Mr. 
Miguel Ayala, Ms. Mary Baldwin, Ms. Estrelita Dukes, Judge Teicival 
Herman; Ms. Barbara Keys, Ms. Martha Miller, and Ms. Deborah Sawyer, 
all members of the local advisory council.
  Mr. Speaker, making the final three in the U.S. Academic Decathlon is 
no small feat. The decathlon takes months and even years of hard work 
and preparation. The Academic Decathlon is the supreme measure of 
educational achievement. It is the World Series of academics. It is the 
NBA finals of scholastic attainment.
  So again we salute Whitney M. Young, all of the members of the team. 
I congratulate each and every one of the outstanding young men and 
women and their coaches. I congratulate the Chicago Board of Education, 
the local advisory council, the principal and a great staff. It does 
indeed take a whole community to make a great school.

                          ____________________