[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 27 (Thursday, March 4, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E302-E303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING OHIO'S 21ST CENTURY LEARNING CENTERS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ROBERT W. NEY

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 4, 2004

  Mr. NEY. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Ohio delegation, I rise today 
to acknowledge and commend the accomplishments of the Ohio Department 
of Education and Dr. Mary Lou Rush for their work implementing Ohio's 
21st Century Community Learning Centers.
  Ohio's 21st Century Community Learning Centers offer programs and 
services that benefit the educational and related health, social 
services, cultural, and recreational needs of our communities. These 
centers provide academic enrichment opportunities to help students and 
to meet state and local student performance standards. In addition, 
they offer students a broad array of additional programs and 
activities, such as youth development activities, drug and violence 
prevention programs, counseling programs, art, music and recreation 
programs, technology education programs, and character education 
programs.
  Dr. Rush, and those like her throughout the State of Ohio, are 
ensuring that all children, regardless of ethnicity, income, 
disability, or geographic location will meet with academic success. I 
am including in the Record a recent letter to Dr. Rush signed by 
members of the Ohio delegation to honor her accomplishments.
                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                Washington, DC, February 27, 2004.
     Dr. Mary Lou Rush,
     Ohio Department of Education,
     Columbus, Ohio.
       Dear Dr. Rush: We are pleased to recognize Ohio's 21st 
     Century Community Learning Centers and their commitment to 
     excellence in education.

[[Page E303]]

       It is with great pleasure that we acknowledge and commend 
     the Ohio Department of Education as the national leader in 
     21st Century Community Learning Center program 
     implementation. In particular, we want to commend you for 
     your exemplary leadership in developing Ohio's network of 
     safe and supportive learning environments for all children, 
     both during and outside the traditional school day. A 
     tireless and committed advocate, your singular ability to 
     focus Ohio's diverse communities on the educational needs of 
     all children is assuring that Ohio's education system is the 
     best in the nation.
       On behalf of the Ohio delegation, we extend our thanks to 
     the Ohio Department of Education for supporting a program 
     that has impacted the lives of so many children. We 
     congratulate the individuals behind the 21st Century 
     Community Learning Center program and wish them continued 
     success in their efforts to create appropriate educational 
     opportunities for the children of Ohio.
           Sincerely,
       Members of Congress: Bob Ney, Marcy Kaptur, Sherrod Brown, 
     Steve Chabot, Paul E. Gillmor, Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, Dennis 
     Kucinich, Steven C. LaTourette, Robert Portman, Timothy J. 
     Ryan, Ted Strickland, Patrick J. Tiberi, and Michael R. 
     Turner.

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