[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 35 (Wednesday, March 25, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H1507]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO WHITNEY M. YOUNG HIGH SCHOOL

  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, a few years ago, then Secretary 
of Education William Bennett made the statement that the Chicago public 
schools were among the worst in the Nation. I am pleased to note today, 
Mr. Speaker, that the Chicago public schools are making significant 
progress, and they are making progress towards the level of excellence 
of which we can, indeed, be proud.
  I picked up the Chicago Sun Times this past Tuesday, and on page 
three of the headlines read: ``Whitney Young students Savor Triple 
Title Weekend.''
  Please note that Whitney M. Young is a public high school in the City 
of Chicago in the Seventh Congressional District. Therefore, I commend 
and congratulate Gary Chico, Chairman, and the Chicago Board of 
Education, Superintendent Paul Vallas and his staff, the chairperson 
and members of the local school advisory council, Ms. Joyce Keller, 
principal, and her staff, and all of the outstanding students and their 
families.
  Whitney M. Young High School was the first school to win the State of 
Illinois' academic decathlon, the State Class AA basketball 
championship, and the State sportsmanship award on the same day in the 
same year, Saturday, March 21, 1998.
  Whitney M. Young is no stranger to winning the State academic 
decathlon. As a matter of fact, they have won it 13 years in a row. 
They have become the Michael Jordans, the Mozarts, the Marian 
Andersons, the John Hope Franklins, and the Bill Gates of education.
  Whitney M. Young continues to produce a dynasty of superstars who 
excel year after year. Last November, Whitney Young played host to U.S. 
Services Academy Day for us at their school. There were 125 students in 
attendance from all over the Seventh district, Chicago and suburbs, 
asking questions about West Point, the Air Force Academy, Annapolis, 
all of the service academies.
  I was, indeed, delighted to see so many students and their guidance 
counselors take hard looks at the superb educational opportunities 
offered by these outstanding institutions.
  It is no surprise to me that public education can and does work. When 
people are committed and the resources are made available, Mr. Speaker, 
the sky is the limit. Ms. Joyce Kenner, principal of Whitney Young High 
School, understands this concept and practices it by allocating 
resources where they are needed the most and places people where they 
can do the most good. As a result of this, Whitney M. Young continues 
to excel.
  We in the United States Congress must adopt these same principles and 
commitment to saving our public schools throughout America. We must 
commit to providing 100,000 new teachers, commit to rehabbing aging 
school buildings, commit to fostering learning in our classrooms. With 
our support, every public school in America is a potential Whitney M. 
Young High School.
  Therefore, I again congratulate each of the outstanding Young men and 
women, their coaches and teachers, and again especially their 
principal, Ms. Joyce Kenner.
  Public education can and does work when we provide adequate 
resources, have concerned parents interacting with well-prepared and 
committed professional teachers and staff, students who are seeking 
knowledge and opportunity. Mix it all together, and we get a Whitney M. 
Young High School, academic champions, athletic champions, and good 
sports, gentlemen and women. The pride of our State, we salute you 
Whitney M. Young High School.

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