[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE NORTH PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND FROM PICO RIVERA, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GRACE F. NAPOLITANO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 13, 2000

  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the outstanding 
achievements of the North Park Middle School Band from Pico Rivera, 
California. Time and again this forty-eight member marching band, 
through the leadership of director Ron Wakefield, concert master Karen 
Panganiban, drum major Jannette Aldana, assistant concert master 
Marytza Padilla, and administrative assistant Lou Diaz, have 
demonstrated a will, drive, and dedication whose efforts demand our 
respect and admiration.
  The North Park Middle School band has performed in parades and 
concerts in Florida, Hawaii and Mexico, and their accolades encompass 
more than a hundred sweepstakes awards in parade competition. They were 
the first and are still the only middle school band to ever participate 
in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade.
  Today, I am overjoyed to announce that these young men and women will 
be performing at the National Band Festival in Carnegie Hall on April 
21, 2000. It is the only middle school band to have been selected to 
perform with high school and college bands throughout the country. Next 
year, they will be performing in Vancouver, British Columbia, and the 
following spring, they will be our ambassadors of music at a concert in 
St. Paul's Cathedral in England.
  The awards and honors that have been bestowed upon this amazing group 
of individuals enkindles in our community a sense of pride and 
happiness. These achievements have been made despite great financial 
adversities. The student musicians at North Park Middle School are a 
beacon of hope to schools throughout the country, because they have 
demonstrated that the arts must be an integral part of every school 
curriculum. They are also deserving of our highest commendation for 
their outstanding efforts in raising $80,000 so that we might enjoy 
their illustrious performances.
  It is my very great honor to recognize the North Park Middle School 
Band for their tireless efforts, dedication, and commitment. They are 
an inspiration to all of us.

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