[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 173 (Thursday, December 13, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2276]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAYING TRIBUTE TO SHARON BANKS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MIKE ROGERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 12, 2001

  Mr. ROGERS of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Sharon Banks, Superintendent of the Lansing School District, for being 
named Michigan's Superintendent of the Year. She was selected by the 
Michigan Association of School Administration from our state's 600 
superintendents for her energy and dedication to the district.
  Hired only sixteen months ago to improve the District's substandard 
test scores and declining enrollment, Ms. Banks has spearheaded 
significant progress throughout the District. The District lost more 
than 3,300 students in the 1990's and has struggled to raise their 
Michigan Educational Assessment Program test scores.
  Since arriving, Ms. Banks has launched sweeping initiatives ranging 
from bolstering literacy programs to keeping kids in school. Enrollment 
has declined much less than expected with only 30 students leaving the 
district between 2000-01 and 2001-02, the smallest decrease in more 
than a decade.
  As a result of earning this distinguished award, which will be 
formally presented at a ceremony in January, Ms. Banks is nominated for 
the National Superintendent of the Year Award.
  Therefore Mr. Speaker, I respectfully ask my colleagues to join me in 
paying tribute to Sharon Banks for earning Michigan's Superintendent of 
the Year.

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