[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 27, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2975]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DR. JOHN R. ARMSTRONG AND THE JOHN R. ARMSTRONG PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I rise to congratulate the L'Anse 
Creuse Public Schools and their Superintendent, Dr. John R. Armstrong, 
for the opening and dedication of their beautiful new 999 seat 
auditorium. The L'Anse Creuse Public Schools have appropriately chosen 
to name this state of the art facility the John R. Armstrong Performing 
Arts Center in recognition for all Dr. Armstrong has done to support 
the arts, not only as the current Superintendent of the L'Anse Creuse 
Public Schools in Harrison Township, Michigan, but also as a teacher 
and principal.
  Dr. John R. Armstrong has served his community, state, and country in 
countless ways. Since graduating from Bowling Green University thirty-
four years ago, he has been a dedicated teacher and administrator in 
the L'Anse Creuse Public Schools. However, Doctor Armstrong's passion 
for education and youth has led him to take an active role not just in 
the school system, but in his community. He has held leadership 
positions in many civic organizations and institutions that seek to 
advance educational causes such as Director of the Kellogg Math/Science 
Grant Program at Selfridge Air National Guard Base. In addition, Dr. 
Armstrong has been a board member of the Mt. Clemens YMCA, the Mt. 
Clemens Art Center, the Macomb Literacy Project and the Traffic Safety 
Association of Macomb County.
  Dr. Armstrong has worked extensively to increase funding for his 
school district. He has presided over several capital campaigns and 
bond proposals that have allowed this growing school district to 
provide an environment in which learning can flourish. While Dr. 
Armstrong has been superintendent, student achievement has soared, as 
evidenced by the fact that student's in his school district have 
improved their test scores on the Michigan Education Assessment 
Program, the PSAT, SAT and ACT at a rate that has exceeded the county, 
state and national averages.
  Just as importantly, Dr. Armstrong has worked to promote life-long 
learning opportunities that realize that education should not be 
confined within classroom walls. To that end, he has fostered cross-
cultural exchanges, a co-operative art and design program with General 
Motors and a dialogue on issues between students and senior citizens. 
In addition to supporting life-long learning for others, Dr. Armstrong 
has led by example. Since coming to the L'Anse Creuse School District, 
he has earned several teacher certificates, a master's degree and a 
doctorate in education.
  The L'Anse Creuse School District can take pride in the opening of 
their new auditorium, and Dr. Armstrong can take pride in his long and 
honorable service to the students of not only the school district but 
of all Michigan. I hope my colleagues will join me in saluting both the 
L'anse Creuse School District and Dr. John R. Armstrong for their 
contributions to their community and the State of Michigan.

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