[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 124 (Thursday, September 26, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9416-S9417]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO THE GRADUATES OF THE BOSTON DIGITAL BRIDGE FOUNDATION 
                          TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, I welcome this opportunity to pay 
tribute to the impressive achievements of those who have graduated this 
year as part of the Boston Digital Bridge Foundation's Technology Goes 
Home and TechBoston programs.
  This evening at Franklin Park in Dorchester, MA, the City and the 
Boston Digital Bridge Foundation are hosting ``Evening on the Bridge 
2.0,'' a celebration honoring the graduates of these two programs.
  Working with businesses, universities, schools, government, families 
and community-based organizations, the Boston Digital Bridge Foundation 
organizes and facilitates partnerships to link Boston public school 
students and their parents to the Internet. These programs have helped 
over 5,000 Boston Public School students and their families.
  Technology Goes Home is a ten-week technology training program for 
low-income families. It has a rigorous selection process and a 
community service requirement at the completion of the program. Upon 
graduating from the program, each family receives a new computer, 
printer and Internet access.
  TechBoston provides advanced technology courses for Boston Public 
School students at the middle and high-school level. They teach high-
tech skills essential for success in careers and post-secondary 
education. Currently, over 2,500 Public School Students are enrolled in 
these classes.
  Technology skills are no longer a luxury for students, they are a 
necessity. Without knowledge of computers and the Internet, today's 
students will have great difficulty competing in tomorrow's economy. 
When used effectively in the classroom and at home, modern technology 
can help level the playing field and open extraordinary new horizons 
and opportunities for all students and their parents.
  That's why we are so strongly committed to the Boston Digital Bridge 
Foundation. The City is at the cutting edge of education technology and 
has become a national model, thanks to the leadership of Mayor Thomas 
M. Menino and the skillful work of the community partners involved in 
these two innovative programs. Over 4,000 participants in six Boston 
neighborhoods, every high school, and ten middle schools are enrolled 
in the programs.
  We are all proud of the remarkable progress that Boston has made in 
helping to close the digital divide. A coalition of leaders in 
business, labor, education and government has worked successfully 
together to connect all of Boston public schools to the Internet, and 
is in the process of bringing this technology home to all Boston Public 
School families.
  Dozens of large and small organizations have made donations to these 
programs. America Online, AT&T Broadband, the Barr Foundation, the Bill 
and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Boston Redevelopment Authority, 
FleetBoston Financial, Hewlett-Packard, HiQ Computers, Intel, Keane 
Inc., Lexmark, Microsoft, PARTNERS+simons, Sallie Mae Foundation, 3Com, 
Verizon and Xintra and others have done more than their share, donating 
products and services to schools, including wiring, network equipment, 
computers and other supplies. All the equipment donated by these firms 
is new, and Verizon and America Online have donated free Internet 
access. This kind of participation has become a model for the nation.
  Thanks to the Boston Digital Bridge Foundation and its supporters, we 
can now guarantee that Boston Public School students and their families 
have access to the Internet and the opportunities that it creates. We 
are doing all we can to see that every student in every Boston 
neighborhood will soon have the same opportunity.
  I commend these Boston families and students for their efforts and 
accomplishments in expanding employment opportunities, improving school 
grades,

[[Page S9417]]

and strengthening their community. To all involved, it is a job well 
done. I ask to have printed in the Record the names of this year's 
graduates of these programs of the Boston Digital Bridge Foundation.
  The material is as follows:

            2002 Boston Digital Bridge Foundation Graduates


         Allston Brighton Neighborhood Technology Collaborative

       Mayram Antillon and Layla Antillon; Gabriella Campozano and 
     Nicholas Campozano-Hill; Marta Gonzalez and Jonathan Ramos; 
     Jie Lin and Pei Lin; Zaheruddin Mohammadi and Zaba Mohammadi; 
     Berta Morales and Adriana Rodriguez; Sofia Nikollara and 
     Teodor Nikollara; Tahera Amin and Shakir Amin; Diana Chaves 
     and Julian Chaves; Kesi Garabilez and Jeanykay Simon; 
     Magnolia Giraldo and David Mejia; Li Zhen Huang and Shirley 
     Li; Wanda Jusino and Raul Jusino; Donna O'Brien and Derek 
     O'Brien; Patricia Ready and Tyler Maddock; Selso Regalis and 
     Glorisel Regalis; Rosetta Robinson and Quanasia Robinson; 
     Clara Baez and Naiyelly Montero; Maria Berardi and Maria 
     Santa; Foujia Chowdhury and Isteaque Chowdhury; Ana Gonzalez 
     and Gisselle Gonzalez; Natasha Iftica and Kostian Iftica; 
     Princess Johnson and Bianca Tsolias; Monica Montes De Oca and 
     Savannah Cosby; Yaneth Pacheco and Melvin Alfredo Alas; 
     Sandra Palomo and Charlie Palomo; Sherma Stewart and Desiree 
     Joseph.


          Codman Square Neighborhood Technology Collaborative

       Carmen Bakhit and Lyla Bakhit; Rosalind Bogues and Robin 
     Bogues; Kimberly Bordley and Geoffery Woodbery; Ernest Brown 
     and Seth Brown; Amando Cruz and Tyra Robinson; Amelia 
     Destouche and Donna-Lee Destouche; Darriel Dorsey and Darriel 
     Dorsey III; Joy Gonzalez and Anntoinette Francis; Catherine 
     Heraldo and Terqueena Heraldo; Sabrina Lawrence and Nekeya 
     Mayhew; Suze Louis and Ornella Louis; Eduardo Martinez and 
     Eduardo Jr. Martinez; Keesha Moody and Tashawn Moody-Whitley; 
     Carolyn Muldrew and Shontia Taylor; Altonato Richelien and 
     Daly Hamilton; The Strothers family; Judith Sylvestre-Piqu 
     and Myriam Piquant; Euronna Taylor and Chace Taylor; Isaura 
     Vega Samitt and Moises Geronimo; Mary White and Jonathan 
     White; Venita Williams and Nadine Samuel; Virginia Bennett 
     and Tiffany Bennett; Barbara Buryiak and Gregory Buryiak; 
     Sandra Campbell and Laticie Allen; Cleta Capitolin and Jeanel 
     Capitolin; Bridgette Curry and Deneena Curry; Marie Dimanche 
     and Rachel Dimanche; Will Dunn and Chris Scott; Mabel DuVal 
     and April Du Val; Althea Forde and Jason Forde; Danielle 
     Francillon and Rodely Destine; Maurella Francois and Steve 
     Philippe Blaise; Jessie Freeman and Christopher Freeman; 
     Abigail Harding and Kern Timothy; Roger Houston and 
     Jeffrey M. Houston; Sandra Johnson and Deanna Marie 
     Johnson; Althea Jones and Dewanda Jones; Edmond Lewis and 
     David Moloney; Evelyn Louis-Jean and Andy Louis-Jean; 
     Marita Mcphail and Shameika Sandiford; Donnette Redmond 
     and Dena Cattledge; Lorraine Riley and Bryan Trench; 
     Charlene Townsend and DeAnde Townsend; Nam Truong and Minh 
     Truong; Tira Brown and Damonte Brown; Annette Calloway and 
     Zeyanna Defortunato; Anastasie Destouche and Vandel 
     Fontaine; Soraida Flores and Angelina; Mary Hobson and 
     Thanee Hobson; Judy Juba and Marlon Juba; Marguerite 
     McClinton and Shayla McClinton; Latasha Ponlls and Toney 
     Ponlls; Vonetta Smith and Natasha Smith; Denise Stevens 
     and Jerry Stevens; Marva Stowe and Akim Callender.


            Grove Hall Neighborhood Technology Collaborative

       Ida Allen and Jessica Allen; Joyce Bowden and Rashad 
     Bowden; Joseph Higginbottom and Dionne Higginbottom; Phyllis 
     Langione and Malika Gordon; Debra Owens and Amanda Owens; 
     Jennifer Queen and Durrell Queen; Bonnie Reynolds and Brandon 
     Reynolds; Beverly Barclay and Cynthia Burrell; Sonia Galvez 
     and Cecily Galvez; Kimberly Harrison and Ira Harrison; Sherri 
     Marshall-White and Jasmine Miller; Diahanne Miller and Thuron 
     Green; Helen Miskel and Dwayne Riley; Leontine Robinson and 
     Nefitai Robinson; Shirley Straughter and Jasmine Harris; Dawn 
     Thomas and Malcolm; Diane Valentine and Brandon Valentine; 
     Wanda Aviles and Johnny D. Guante; Moni Bryant and Princess 
     Bryant; Phyllis Clemons and Charles Clemons III; Muriel 
     Cummins and Juelle Cummins; Crystal Edwards and Kennette 
     Pannell; Mildred Freeman and Rasool Adkins; Tracey Green and 
     Tiandra Wells; Annette Lavia and Shaniquewka Lavia; Deborha 
     McRae and Shalaan Williams; Carlo Milfort and Christina 
     Milfort; Angel Smiley and Angelica Smiley; Vivian Smith and 
     Jaheem Smith-Garcia; Sharon Stephens and Sharon White; Brenda 
     Trimble and Trevor Cargill; Regina Walker and Samara Walker; 
     Tashema Woods and Mickiel James; Christine Brown and Phito 
     Gondre; Cynthia Cornelius and Kennette Cornelius; Bettie 
     Cutler and Tanzenia Smith; Tanya Gayle and Shakira Sanders; 
     Sandra Good and Terrance Good; Larry Gray Sr. and Larry A. 
     Gray Jr.; Ortiz Milvia and Dianilet Bautista; Brion Rock and 
     Beverly A. Rock; Bridgette Sanders and Jamil Sanders; Maxine 
     Underwood and Shelton T. Veale; Frances Valentine and 
     Courtney Valentine; Keila Price and Keila Cooper.


          Lower Roxbury Neighborhood Technology Collaborative

       Miosotty Baez and Ramon Baez; Lyda Cartwright and Cortland 
     Cartwright; Sheryl DeBarros and Cortney Carter; Latonya Perry 
     and Shakena Perry; Michelle Santos-Thomas and Tatiana Dancy; 
     Stephanie Swan and Tanesha Swan; Scotland Williams and 
     Scotland Williams, Jr.; Iris Yates and Nakia Weaver; Evander 
     Young and Ebony Jones; Jewel Cash and Jewel Cash Van Stokes; 
     Maryse L. Cazeau and Nastajha Cazeau; Deborah Coleman and 
     Kyron Coleman; Ann Haynes and Latrecia Brown-Haynes; Troy 
     Huff and Jovan Huff; Grace Johnson and Edwin Johnson; 
     Michelle Jones and Deshon Jones; Gwendolyn McLean and Harold 
     Kirkl; Francine Patterson and Brittany Patterson; Rochelle 
     Reid and Kristien Reid; Velda Singleton and Travis Singleton; 
     Alisha Beasley and Isah Beasley; Venitte Burke and Rushanna 
     Gordan; Joynett Gray and Shereena Lee; Gloria Heckstall and 
     Joshua Heckstall; Diane Joseph and Michael Cummings; Melvin 
     Maldonado and Benjamin Cruz; Lorraine Maryland and Christina 
     Maryl; Vashti Massaquoi and Shavaysha Massaquoi; Brenda 
     Peeples and Deanna Peeples; Antoinette Ross and Isaiah 
     Thomas; Cheryl Young and Terrance Hill; Julissa Diaz and 
     Katrine Diaz; Helen Lopez and Nasha Padron; Mayra Munoz and 
     Gabriella Ventura; Guadalupe Rodriguez and Nicolas Rodriguez; 
     Joselin Ruiz and Perla Ruiz; Ibelisse Ruiz and Pamela 
     Moquete; Ideana Tejeda and Jennifer Rodriguez; Jaqueline 
     Zayas and Jacelyn Zayas; Eneida Figueroa-Lopez and Jeneida 
     Felix; Vijay Bangari and Pamela Bangari; Kathy Byner and 
     Shanquita Byner; Judy James and Charles Branden James; 
     Evangelene Lacombe and Rashid Lacombe; Norma Yolanda Medina 
     and Janick Rene Medina; Patricia Rogers and Dominique Rogers; 
     Gloria Taylor and Brandon Taylor; June Wallace and Robert 
     Leaster.


       Mission Hill/Fenway Neighborhood Technology Collaborative

       Sentayehu Bezualam and Noah Tewelde; Carmen Cordero and 
     Carmen Lopez; Thelma Cunningham and Charlie Haymon; Clara 
     Ejogo and Nneka Lamarre; Abadit Ghidey and Bethlehem Ghidey; 
     Charlene Hunt and Isiah Hunt; Diane Jackson and Dana Jackson; 
     Latonia Miles and Zaira Miles; Leyda Rodriguez and Jose Lara; 
     Andrea Turner and DeCosta Turner; Enid Williams and Shauntia 
     Williams; Carmen Andino and Shey Carrasquillo; Edith Cotto 
     and Nicholas Cotto; Albertha Davis and Charles Steed; 
     Becsaida Flores and Andres Brea; Edith Jones and Keyarra 
     Jones; Sobeida Martinez-Alston and Alea A. Martinez; Charline 
     Perry and Amyna Perry; Carolyn Robles and Anthony Perry; 
     Carmen Villinueva and Franchesca Castro; Rosemary Warren and 
     Chimika Warren; Elsa Carrasquillo and Ashley Osorio; Diane 
     Everett and Ivanna Everett; Anet Garcia and Jose Cosme; 
     Michael Holley and Nora Holley & Nathalia Freeman; Abdulaziz 
     Mohamed and Idil Osman; Ceila Perez and Athena Ellis; Sharon 
     Pough and Ernest Pough II; Elaine Rodriguez and Johnathan 
     Rodriguez; Nilsa Santiago and Lisette Santiago; Sobeida Soto 
     and Omar Gonzalez; Delmy Suarez and Victoria Suarez.


          Uphams Corner Neighborhood Technology Collaborative

       Yubettys Baez and Paola Baez; Maria Barros and Jassira 
     Barros; Lydia Becerril and Alheli Ortiz; Rosa DePina and Yara 
     Goncalves; Maria Lobo and Dirma Lobo; Natia Mitchell and 
     Debra McLean; Kathy Nollie and Ayesha McCray; Christine 
     Porter and Jasyre Porter; Carmen Rodriguez and Janira Negron; 
     Karen Sheers and Tinisha Wynn; Sonia Villaroel and Dashawn 
     Triplett; Towanna Bowden and Dennis Privott; Tatasha Coles 
     and Tashea Coles; Sandra Correa and Raymond Sanabia; Latoya 
     Cromartie and Danielle Cromartie; Erica Daniels and Brittnay 
     Walker; Vivian Izuchi and Lotachi Izuchi; Michael Latson and 
     Jalonnie Heath; Ketley Mondesir and Kenny Mondesir; Sara 
     Phillips and Paulette Phillips; Arlindo Pires and Arnaldo 
     Pires; Maria Barbosa and Dulce Mendes; Annette Bonds and 
     Jason Bloom; Delores Dell and Deshawn Dell; Sophia Rice and 
     Dathan Rice; Seraphina Taylor and Gregory Taylor; Barbara 
     Williams and Randy Williams; Jacqueline Rodriguez and Marione 
     Silva; Dorothy Anderson and Lareek Anderson.

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