[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 54 (Thursday, April 26, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S3989]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                GARFIELD MIDDLE SCHOOL 50TH ANNIVERSARY

 Mr. DOMENICI. Mr. President, I rise today to ask my colleagues 
to join me in congratulating Garfield Middle School in Albuquerque, 
which is celebrating its 50th anniversary today, April 26. Built to 
serve Albuquerque's growing North Valley, the school first opened for 
the 1950-51 school year. First built with the intention of serving as 
an elementary school, Garfield actually became the fourth public junior 
high school to open in my hometown.
  Mr. Walter McNutt was Garfield Middle School's first principal. It 
was under this distinguished man that I served as a public school 
teacher shortly after graduating from the University of New Mexico. I 
taught math and coached baseball at the school in the 1955-56 school 
year.
  The Garfield Middle School's long-held mission has been to foster a 
sense of community among its students, parents and school staff as a 
means of boosting pupil achievement.
  With a multi-cultural enrollment ranging over the years from 650-
1,200 students, Garfield has earned a number of award-winning and 
nationally-recognized programs.
  I am proud to also point out that Garfield is actively involved in a 
program that is close to my heart, Character Counts. The school is 
nationally recognized as having one of the finest Character Counts 
programs in the United States. At the school they teach the six pillars 
of good character: responsibility, respect, trustworthiness, fairness, 
citizenship, and caring.
  I applaud Garfield Middle School for its accomplishments and as it 
celebrates its 50th Anniversary, we wish them much continued success in 
the future.

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