[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 116 (Friday, September 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1669-E1670]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                SALUTE TO ROCKWALL ACADEMIC BOOSTER CLUB

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 5, 1997

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, as our Nation's young people return 
to school for the beginning of a new year, we are reminded of the 
importance of education in their lives and our responsibility not only 
to provide a quality education for them but also to encourage their 
efforts, build their self-esteem, and motivate them to aspire to a 
standard of excellence in all that they do.
  This is a responsibility shared by all of us--by parents, teachers, 
school administrators, Government, and the community at large. Today it 
is my privilege to pay tribute to a community organization in my home 
town of Rockwall, TX, the Rockwall Academic Booster Club, that was 
recently formed with these goals in mind.
  Beginning this year, the Academic Booster Club will present a letter 
jacket patch to those students who received straight A's for two 
consecutive semesters of the previous academic year. The first awards 
ceremony will take place on Tuesday, September 9, when some 40 students 
from two middle schools will receive a jacket patch. The letter program 
is being underwritten by Rockwall Women's League and Rockwall Newcomers 
Club.

[[Page E1670]]

  The Academic Booster Club also will present awards to students whose 
grades improve, honorable mention awards to those who came close, and 
awards to inspirational teachers. Additional club activities include 
providing volunteers for school mentoring programs and raising 
scholarship funds for teacher endowments.
  Mr. Speaker, we know that the quality of our students' education is 
the key to both their future success and to America's future in the 
global environment. We know that we must do all we can to prepare our 
young people for the challenges of the 21st century and to promote 
academic excellence in our schools. I am proud of these efforts in my 
hometown, and I ask my colleagues today to join me in saluting the 
Rockwall Academic Booster Club and the outstanding students in 
Rockwall, TX, whose dedication to academic excellence deserves our 
recognition.

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