[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 112 (Friday, August 3, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE GRAND OPENING OF THE EMERY/WEINER SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN BENTSEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2001

  Mr. BENTSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in recognition the all new Emery-
Weiner School in southwest Houston. This $14 million educational 
facility combines the 23 year old I. Weiner Jewish Secondary School and 
the brand new Emery High School to form the Emery-Weiner School. This 
expansion combines the quality education offered at the I. Weiner 
Jewish Secondary School with the cutting edge facility of the new 
campus.
  This fall as homerooms fill for the first time at the Emery-Weiner 
School students will benefit from the formation of these two 
institutions. The state-of-the-art facilities at the new campus will 
include art and music rooms, as well as a theater, emphasizing the 
important role the arts play in education. The campus also houses a 
multi-court gymnasium, cultural arts facility, computer and science 
labs. The twelve acres in southwest Houston on which the campus sits is 
surrounded by several more acres of accessible playing fields. The 
campus will provide tremendous opportunities to students.
  On Thursday, September 20, 2001, the Emery-Weiner School will 
celebrate the opening of this new campus with a special event honoring 
two of its many benefactors, Mr. Joe Kaplan and Mr. Joe Komfeld. The 
proceeds from this celebration will benefit the ``Joe Fund,'' a fund 
appropriately named for these two founding fathers. Mr. Kaplan and Mr. 
Komfeld contributed countless hours to seeing this project come to 
fruition. Their selfless offerings make them role models for the 
students who will benefit from their efforts.
  The ``Joe Fund'' was created to bolster teacher enhancement programs 
and projects. It will be used to purchase materials to provide teachers 
the necessary means to incorporate creativity and ingenuity into their 
everyday classroom. I applaud the leadership of the countless teachers 
and volunteers who contributed to the erection of this new campus and 
recognize the commitment of these individuals to providing 
opportunities through education to our young people.
  Mr. Speaker, I congratulate the many people who contributed to the 
construction of the Emery-Weiner School, and I look forward to seeing 
the many ways in which the innovative voice of this institution will 
help to educate and shape the minds of Houstonians. There is no doubt, 
this school will soon serve as a model for other schools across the 
nation.

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