[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 149 (Wednesday, December 6, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2134]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE EXCELLENCE OF THE READING JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH 
                           SCHOOL ESTEEM TEAM

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                            HON. ROB PORTMAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 6, 2000

  Mr. PORTMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the Reading Junior-Senior 
High School Esteem Team, which received Ohio's 2000 BEST Practices 
Award on October 10, 2000. The BEST Practices Award honors groups that 
improve the performance of Ohio's students through innovative, 
effective approaches to common education challenges.
  The Esteem Team has an outstanding record of positive results. I have 
met and worked with several members of the Team, and I can say 
firsthand that their work has made a very significant difference in the 
Cincinnati community.
  The Team was founded in 1989 by three senior students at Reading 
Junior-Senior High School. The goal of the program is to instruct and 
motivate other students to lead safe, healthy lifestyles. The group is 
student-run, and, since 1989, it has blossomed from a handful of 
members to its current count of almost 90. Molly Flook Woodrow, who 
teaches special needs students at Reading Junior-Senior High School, 
serves as the Team's advisor and has done so since the Team was 
established.
  The Esteem Team members play a critical role in our community by 
serving as role models and contributors to safe, drug-free lifestyles 
for other students. The Team primarily educates elementary and 
secondary students by providing current, accurate information on the 
dangers and often life-threatening effects of drug abuse. Through 
organized workshops, group discussions, role-playing and informative 
skits, these young leaders have developed an effective message that 
teaches students to make good decisions and to be responsible.
  The Esteem Team has been instrumental to efforts to reverse substance 
abuse trends in our area, and we are very fortunate for the hard work 
of its members. All of us in the Cincinnati area congratulate the 
Esteem Team on receiving Ohio's 2000 BEST Practices Award.

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