[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 74 (Thursday, May 20, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1052]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


A TRIBUTE TO LACKLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL; RECIPIENT OF THE UNITED STATES 
            DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. CHARLES A. GONZALEZ

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 1999

  Mr. GONZALEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my sincerest 
congratulations to Lackland Elementary School in San Antonio, TX, upon 
the notification of their receipt of the Blue Ribbon School Award.
  Schools are awarded the Blue Ribbon School Award based on their 
performance in regards to several criteria, including: student focus 
and support; active teaching and learning; school organization and 
culture; challenging standards and curriculum; professional community; 
leadership and educational vitality; school, family, and community 
partnerships; and indicators of success.
  Lackland Elementary joins three other schools in San Antonio and 
forty other Texas schools, all of which excelled in these areas and 
were rewarded with the Blue Ribbon School Award from the United States 
Department of Education.
  To receive consideration for this prestigious award, schools must be 
recommended for national recognition by their individual state 
department of education or sponsoring agency. Nominations are then 
evaluated by a National Review Panel including the Department of 
Education, the Department of Defense, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the 
Council for American Private Education and a select group of educators 
from around the country. The Secretary of Education then makes a final 
determination based on the recommendations of this panel.
  In receiving this special recognition, I believe that Lackland 
Elementary School will inspire others to provide the level of quality 
education that this Blue Ribbon School Award merits. I am proud to 
represent a district and hail from a state that has clearly placed an 
emphasis on the education of our children.

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