[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 154 (Thursday, November 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO STUDENTS OF NORTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN TAYLORVILLE, IL

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                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2001

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the students 
of North Elementary School in Taylorville, Illinois, and their 
important and heartwarming efforts to help those affected by terrorism.
  On October 11th, 2001, President Bush made a request of the children 
of America. He challenged each of them to earn and send in one dollar. 
This money, sent by the kindness of the children of the United States, 
will be used to reach out to the unfortunate children in far off 
Afghanistan.
  The students of North Elementary School heard and met that challenge. 
I recently received a check for $348.00, made out to America's Fund for 
Afghan Children--that's one dollar for each student in North 
Elementary. But this was only a part of the total money the students 
raised. In fact, through a variety of efforts in the month of October--
including a Student Council penny drive and a PTA sponsored fundraising 
dinner--the students of North Elementary managed to gather an amazing 
sum: $1,668, over five times what our President requested, The 
remainder of the money, it was decided, will go to the Red Cross to aid 
victims of the September 11th tragedy here in the United States.
  The students, parents, faculty, and members of the Taylorville 
community should be recognized for their fine efforts. The terrorists 
believed they could accomplish their goals with the murder of American 
innocents; but the American citizens have responded with aid to the 
innocents of Afghanistan. Nothing else could better show how utterly Al 
Qaeda has failed.
  Mr. Speaker, as President Bush said in his announcement of the Fund 
for Afghan Children, ``One of the truest weapons that we have against 
terrorism is to show the world the true strength of character of the 
American people.'' The children of North Elementary have shown that 
character, and they deserve our thanks. May God bless them, and may God 
bless the United States of America.

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