[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATIONS TO PIERRE LACLEDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR RECEIVING A 
                          ``GOLD STAR'' AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2003

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor excellence personified by a 
public school in my district--Pierre Laclede Elementary School, in the 
St. Louis Public Schools District.
  In April the school was named one of 15 elementary schools in the 
State of Missouri to receive the ``Gold Star'' award for academic 
excellence. I proudly enter their name into the Congressional Record as 
part of a national celebration of their achievement.
  The feat by staff and students at Pierre Laclede Elementary School 
was one of three schools in my district so honored. Some 35 public 
schools competed for the awards, for the 2002-2003 academic year.
  Chosen by a panel of school administrators and other educators from 
across the State, all applications were evaluated and winners were 
selected during the month of April. The 15 schools were formally 
honored May 7 at a forum in Jefferson City, MO, the State capital.
  To be eligible for the award, schools had to meet academic 
performance criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education 
for the ``No Child Left Behind--Blue Ribbon Schools'' program.
  Established in 1991, the Gold Star Schools program is sponsored by 
the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, with financial 
support from State Farm Insurance Companies, Inc.
  In the program, elementary and secondary schools are recognized in 
alternating years. Mr. Speaker, I submit to you that success in 
education can be achieved at all levels, and sometimes where it is 
least expected.
  As we celebrate 15 Gold Star schools in the State of Missouri, with 
three in my district alone, I also hope and plan for the day that the 
majority of schools in the State achieve ``Gold Star'' status and we 
can happily raise the academic bar again, for the next generation of 
students.
  If the students of today are a barometer, then the students of the 
future will most assuredly defy the odds against them and take their 
place in the modern world as well-educated leaders and decisionmakers 
solving future problems.
  As leaders in government, it is our responsibility to provide them 
the tools, the gifted teachers and the inspiration to achieve against 
great odds for even greater successes.

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