[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 157 (Sunday, November 9, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           STATEMENT COMMENDING HANOVER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

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                            HON. TOM BLILEY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Saturday, November 8, 1997

  Mr. BLILEY. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to recognize Hanover 
County public schools as the first school system ever to win the U.S. 
Senate's Award for Continuing Excellence, or ACE. The ACE is awarded to 
organizations demonstrating ``sustained exemplary performance in 
quality and productivity improvement.'' Since its establishment 14 
years ago, it has only been given out six times, and never before to a 
public school system. Originally designed to recognize quality in 
private business, ACE has expanded over the years to include public 
sector agencies and remains one of the Nation's most prestigious 
awards.
  Hanover County public schools have repeatedly been recognized for the 
excellence of their programs, the commitment of their teachers and 
administrators, the support of their parents and the community, and the 
achievement of their students. They qualified for the continuing 
excellence award by winning the Medallion of Excellence Award in 1991 
and have continued to maintain a high performance on standardized 
tests, a high percentage of advanced studies graduates, and an 
exceptionally low drop-out rate.
  The U.S. Senate's Award for Continuing Excellence is a tribute to the 
dedicated efforts of the many individuals who have created in Hanover 
County one of the finest public school systems in Virginia, and in the 
Nation.

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