[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 13, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E936]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING FLINT NORTHERN HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 13, 2003

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to rise before you today on 
behalf of the students, faculty, and alumni of Northern High School in 
my hometown of Flint, Michigan. This week Flint Northern will celebrate 
its 75th anniversary.
  On January 30, 1928, Flint Northern High School was established as 
the city's second high school, located on McClellan Street on the 
city's north side. In the early years, many of the school's population 
came from immigrant children, whose families had come to the New World 
to find work in the city's booming auto industry. In the fall of 1971, 
the school was replaced by a new building on Mackin Road, where it 
stands to this day, providing opportunities for students of all races 
and walks of life to obtain the knowledge and skills needed to survive 
and succeed, and to become positive, contributing members of society.
  For the past 75 years, Northern High has maintained a tradition of 
academic and athletic excellence, as well as alumni loyalty. The 
Northern Vikings have won 38 state Championships, bringing athletic 
honors back to their city and their school. It is estimated that Viking 
athletes have competed in more Class A Regional and District State and 
City tournaments in men's and women's sports than any other school in 
the State of Michigan. Vikings have also excelled in other competitive 
areas such as Speech, Debate, Music, and Choir, to name a few.
  In 1987, a group of Northern graduates, seeking to preserve the 
accomplishments of past and present alumni, and to further instill 
school pride, created the Distinguished Alumni Program of Flint 
Northern. This program, the first known of its kind around the nation, 
raises scholarship funds and honors those graduates who have gone on to 
excel in professions such Medicine, Law, Education, and Military 
Service, among many others. The school's Viking Room is decorated with 
photos of 82 such alumni from throughout the country. As of this date, 
the Alumni Club Endowment Fund has provided 503 scholarships, totaling 
more than $300,000. This year, 35 members of the Class of 2003 will 
benefit from these scholarships.
  Mr. Speaker, as a former teacher, I applaud the many men and women 
who have helped Flint Northern High School set the highest standards of 
scholastic success for 75 years. I ask my colleagues in the 108th 
Congress to please join me in commending the efforts of Northern's 
alumni, and wishing their future alumni the best in all their 
endeavors.

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