[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 64 (Tuesday, May 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING READING COMMUNITY CITY SCHOOLS

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                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 19, 1998

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Reading Community 
City Schools on their Celebration of Excellence, which will be held on 
May 20, 1998.
  Reading Community City Schools have demonstrated a strong track 
record of academic excellence, parental involvement and community 
support. In fact, several Reading schools have been recognized as Blue 
Ribbon award winners by the State of Ohio.
  In particular, Reading Central Community Elementary School has 
received national recognition for excellence by being named as a 
National Blue Ribbon School for 1996-1997. This designation--given to 
only 268 public and private elementary schools nationwide--is a real 
tribute to the faculty, staff, students and parents who have shown a 
great deal of dedication, leadership and hard work.
  Too often, newspaper headlines are filled with stories about 
inadequate performance by our schools and our students. It is my hope 
that the achievements of Reading Community City Schools will serve as a 
model and will inspire other schools in our region and throughout the 
country to work toward new levels of academic excellence.
  I commend Superintendent John Varis, Board of Education President 
Albert Kretschmar, the faculty, staff, parents and--most importantly--
the students themselves, for their hard work and dedication that have 
made this Celebration of Excellence so richly deserved.

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