[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 77 (Thursday, May 22, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1055]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CONGRATULATIONS TO COMMONS LANE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FOR RECEIVING A 
                          ``GOLD STAR'' AWARD

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                           HON. WM. LACY CLAY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 2003

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor excellence personified by a 
public school in my district--Commons Lane Elementary School, in the 
Ferguson-Florissant School District.
  In April the school was named 1 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 Commons Lane 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 3 
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 decision-makers 
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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