[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 74 (Tuesday, June 3, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1089-E1090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AMERICAN DREAM CHALLENGE AWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 1997

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, Dr. Irving A. Fradkin and the Committee of 
the Citizens Scholarship Foundation of Fall River, MA, have initiated 
and nurtured an educational movement that has benefited children not 
only in my own Third Congressional District of Massachusetts, but 
throughout the country. By working with individuals and businesses in a 
community, scholarships are presented to children that will motivate 
and enable them to go to college. These children, who are students in 
elementary school, promise to adhere to good behavior and high 
scholarship. They take a pledge to do their best in school and to take 
advantage of the opportunities of a good education. They promise to 
respect their classmates and teachers and to learn about and appreciate 
different religious and ethnic backgrounds. They pledge to stay away 
from drugs, violence, and weapons of any kind. They volunteer to 
perform service in their communities and to be caring and responsible 
young citizens. Certainly these are the actions and values we would 
like to instill in our children.
  I would like to enter into the Record letters of commendation from 
President Clinton and Secretaries Riley and Shalala praising the 
American Dream Challenge Scholarship Program. I am also pleased to 
include essays from elementary school children who live in the southern 
part of my congressional district and who are participants in this 
program. They have written about how education has shaped their dreams 
of the future and I believe their words should inspire as all.

                                              The White House,

                                      Washington, January 3, 1996.
     Dr. Irving Fradkin,
     American Dream Challenges, Citizens Scholarship Foundation of 
         America, Fall River, MA
       I am delighted to commend the participants and supporters 
     of the American Dream Challenge scholarship program.
       Education is one of the most effective tools that 
     individuals can use to create a brighter tomorrow for 
     themselves and for our nation. By studying hard and working 
     to improve their school communities, young Americans can look 
     forward to the time when their generation will help to lead 
     this country.
       Initiatives like the American Dream Challenge emphasize the 
     importance of a good education, encouraging young people to 
     invest in their future by preparing for college and exciting 
     career opportunities. I commend the program's supporters for 
     your dedication to helping young people fulfill their dreams, 
     and I wish the scholarship recipients every happiness and 
     success.
                                                     Bill Clinton.


     
                                                                    ____
                                 U.S. Department of Education,

                                     Washington, DC, May 18, 1997.
     To the Participants in the American Dream Challenge, Fall 
       River, MA.
       It is a pleasure to greet the students participating in the 
     Fall River American Dream Challenge. I am grateful for this 
     opportunity to emphasize to you how important it is that you 
     meet the challenge by staying in school and striving for 
     excellence.
       As President Clinton has said, ``The fight for education is 
     the fight for the American Dream.'' Through your academic 
     efforts, you are working toward realizing that dream for 
     yourselves. As I hope you have discovered, although you may 
     face many obstacles in your achievement of that dream, you 
     may overcome those obstacles through hard work and 
     dedication.
       As our world becomes more complicated and our economy more 
     competitive, education becomes more and more important. I 
     commend you for resolving to stay in school, stay out of 
     trouble and work hard to excel academically. However, 
     education today must not end with high school graduation. The 
     constantly changing demands of new technologies and of the 
     world economy mean that for today's citizens education must 
     be a lifelong endeavor. I hope that you will use your 
     scholarships to continue your studies after your graduate.
       America is counting on each of you to make a special 
     contribution to our nation. By being here today, you have 
     taken an important step toward making this contribution. I 
     commend you for setting your sights high and wish you all the 
     best as you strive to reach the goals you have set for 
     yourselves.
                                                 Richard W. Riley.


     
                                                                    ____
                                       The Secretary of Health and


                                               Human Services,

                                    Washington, DC, April 3, 1996.
     Dr. Irving Fradkin,
     American Dream Challenge,
     Fall River, MA.
       Dear Dr. Fradkin: I appreciated receiving information about 
     the American Dream Challenge Program. As you know, the 
     education of our youth is of great concern to me, especially 
     as we look at new ways to break the cycle of poverty and give 
     our children a strong foundation for the future.
       I commend the efforts of your program to motivate and 
     inspire our youth and provide them the opportunity to 
     participate in higher education. Also, I commend the students 
     who participate in the program. Their commitment to 
     excellence and their achievements in this program surely will 
     inspire other young people.
       The Fall River Chapter of the Citizens Scholarship 
     Foundation has a long-standing track record of helping young 
     people finance their education. Initiatives like the American 
     Dream Challenge program reflect the commitment of the 
     organizers to education, and promoting access and excellence 
     in education.
       My best wishes for your continued success.
           Sincerely,
                                                 Donna E. Shalala.


[[Page E1090]]

     
                                                                    ____


             [From Fowler Elementary School; Feb. 14, 1997]

                      What My Future Will Be Like

                         (By Alicia Fernandes)

       In the future I would like to become a Pediatrician. I 
     would like to do that because I enjoy working with children.
       When I get older I am going to try my best to get through 
     high school successfully. When I graduate I would like to go 
     to Harvard or Yale. I was even considering going to a 
     university in Florida. When I go to college I am going to 
     become a Pediatrician.
       I am going to be smart. I am going to keep my head clear. I 
     will not smoke, drink, or do drugs. Also, I will not ruin my 
     education by having children while I am still in high school. 
     I will have a good education, good job, before I have 
     children. I will have children when I have a good job, a good 
     education, when I am settled down and ready to support myself 
     plus a child.
       Until then I'm going to go to school to get a good 
     education and have a good life. I am not going to make the 
     mistakes some people make. I don't want to throw my life 
     away, I want to be able to get up everyday to go to high 
     school without having to call a baby sitter. I want to have a 
     good educational life and I will because I am setting my mind 
     to it. While I am writing this I am thinking about my future, 
     me and all my friends standing on a stage in our caps and 
     gowns while the principal of our school gives a speech and 
     then he says it ``The Class of 2993'' then there is a big 
     round of applause and we receive our diplomas and a few 
     months later I'm packing my bags for college.
       As I think to myself I did it! I am so proud!


       
                                                                    ____
          How I Can Use My Education To Make A Better America

             (By Andrea M. Dias, 4th grade, Doriare School)

       The people today that are lawyers, teachers, sales people, 
     doctor, and other jobs. The only way them people achieved 
     there goals is because they went threw elementary school, 
     middle school, high school and collage. They worked hard and 
     stuff and got a great education. Also an education doesn't 
     only make you achieve your goals and make you smart but also 
     makes you a better and kind person. There are also people 
     today who dropped out of school and did get an education and 
     now those people regret and think about what a bad desision 
     they made, thats why some of them went back to school and 
     tried to get an education. So if your still a kid like me and 
     you have a goal dream. One of the ways you'll get it is if 
     you have an education. So I'll tell you right now! Believe in 
     your dream, go for it! If your not that good at school and 
     you want to get a good education then just keep on trying and 
     trying until you get better and better. Say your goal was to 
     be a teacher and you achieved it. You won't only get an 
     education you'll be helping someone else get a education and 
     achieved there goals and you'll be proud of your self for 
     what you have done. Just remember the people who achieved 
     there goals they have a education. Don't give up. I know you 
     can get an education. Because if I can try you can try too. 
     Go and achieve your goal!!!


     
                                                                    ____
                   What I Want to be When I Grow Up.

            (By Meghan Bissonnette, 6th Grade, Healy School)

       Today I'm young, a few more tomorrows and I will be going 
     off to college. I must start thinking of what I want to do 
     with my life. Many other children may not care, but I do, I 
     think this is important. If I don't start now, who knows 
     where I could be 10 years from now.
       After I finish college, I want to join the World Peace 
     Conference. That is my life long dream. President William 
     Clinton has inspired me the most. If I am chosen to join the 
     World Peace Conference, I shall help the world stop fighting, 
     and learn to help one another.
       Also, I have a back up plan. If I am not elected to the 
     World Peace Conference, I'll become a veterinarian; so if I 
     can't help out people, I'll help out animals. This way I 
     shall be happy. I'll always try my best. Nothing will stop 
     me. I'll never do drugs, smoke, or do anything that will harm 
     my body. This way I will be safe from harm.
       If I ever inherit money, I'll make sure to donate it all to 
     poor, homeless people, sick animals, and charity, this way 
     the money will not go to waste. I'll never give up. I'll be 
     strong and carry on. My dream for peace, fairness and 
     equality will never die, neither shall my hope, or spirit.


     
                                                                    ____
              How Education Can Help Me Make a Difference

  (By Natalie Moore, Grade 6, Atlantis Charter School, Fall River, MA)

       I'm a child of the future generation of adults and if I 
     don't get an education I can't help change the world and the 
     bad things in it.
       I want to be like Martin Luther King, Jr. or Chico Mendes 
     and make a difference; not necessarily the same way as them, 
     but in my own way. I want to be a judge when I get older. I 
     want to take the people selling drugs, and murderers, off the 
     street. I want to stop the violence and abuse in and outside 
     of homes. But if I don't have an education this won't happen, 
     because it takes a lot of studying, hard work--and I'll have 
     to go to school.
       So many children are so scared of what's going to happen to 
     them when they go home from school, or who they are going to 
     fight, that they don't pay attention in school. And that's 
     sad because if they grow up with abuse and violence then that 
     will be what their children grow up with and this world won't 
     change. I want that to be something that will change, so I am 
     going to go to school and try to influence as many other 
     people to go to school. And when I get older I WILL make the 
     biggest difference I can.

     

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