[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 22 (Thursday, February 6, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E141]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


             A TRIBUTE TO BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 2003

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring an educational success story within 
the Dallas Independent School District. The Booker T. Washington High 
School was built in 1922 as the first African American high school in 
Dallas. For the past 81 years, Booker T. Washington High School has 
provided hundreds of central city youngsters with an academic 
foundation that has allowed them to reach their potential.
  The school's story began in 1922 with the dream of an African-
American-owned school emphasizing the basics through creative 
instructional programs, coupled with a strong multicultural 
development. The school's success story can be attributed to incredible 
commitment on the part of the school's parents, administrators, and 
teachers because of their love for kids and crafts.
  The Booker T. Washington High School, after gallery space and studios 
were added in 1976, was designated as the arts ``magnet'' high school. 
Since its inception, Booker T. Washington High School has received 
national acclaim as a prototype for subsequent magnet schools 
throughout the United States and Canada.
  The Booker T. Washington High School community has pulled together 
for the children of Dallas's central city. The school currently serves 
over 700 students from 66 different zip codes in grades 9 through 12. 
All students are selected through auditions, interviews, portfolios, or 
other demonstration of artistic and academic aptitudes.
  Booker T. Washington High School students distinguish themselves by 
receiving a variety of prestigious awards and honors including thirteen 
Presidential Scholar Awards--the nation's highest accolade for 
excellence in arts and academics.
  On average, 163 graduating seniors boast $5 million in college 
scholarship offers both in arts and academic majors. Noted graduates 
include Grammy winners such as R & B vocalist Erykah Badu, jazz 
trumpeter Roy Hargove, singer Norah Jones, dancer Jay Franke, cellist 
John Koen, visual artists Christian Schumann and Chris Arnold, drummer 
Aaron Comess, Edie Brickell of the New Bohemians, and members of the 
gospel group God's Property.
  Booker T. Washington High School, a pride of our community, has been 
a success story because of its distinguished faculty. The instructional 
staff consists of 60 full time teachers and 24 part-time teachers and 
consultants. Approximately 83 percent of the faculty has advance 
degrees and 88 percent have more than 10 years of teaching experience.
  Booker T. Washington High School is a national model for educational 
quality, innovation, and commitment in the face of adversity. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing this fine institution.

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