[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 73 (Friday, May 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TRIBUTE TO THE PROBLEM SOLVING TEAM OF THE QUEST PROGRAM AT JOHN 
             HOWARD, JR. SCHOOL IN EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DONALD M. PAYNE

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 20, 2004

  Mr. PAYNE. Mr. Speaker, it is with a great deal of pleasure that I 
rise to acknowledge the accomplishments of the Problem Solving Team of 
the Quest Program at the John Howard, Jr. School in East Orange. This 
team was concerned about gangs in their neighborhood and decided to 
take action. They established themselves as PEGASUS PUSH, meaning Peers 
Educating Gang Awareness Stopping Unnecessary Suffering Providing 
Useful Strategies for Home. The Problem Solving Team has volunteered 
over 1000 hours towards this project by publishing a monthly Gang 
Awareness Newsletter, organizing a Family Fest Night, a Fun Day Fair, 
creating a Pegasus Website, establishing an after school PEP PICK 
Program, a Day at the Ball Park, a Saturday Delight Program, a Mother-
Son, Father-Daughter Night, Holiday Celebrations and Puppet Shows. All 
of these activities were designed to engage their peers and others in 
constructive projects and out of gangs.These students, namely, Khalil 
Banner, Jordan Clarke, Estefani Ubri, Felix Torres, Markia Hutchinson, 
Shanice Thomas, Monique McDonald, Melina Reyes, Cameron Glover, 
Shaenice McKenzie, Safa Muhammad, Zasha Martinez and their coach, Ms. 
Christine McAdams are to be commended for their unselfish actions in 
trying to eliminate gangs where they live.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues here in the House of Representatives 
to join me in recognizing this outstanding group of fourth and fifth 
grade students along with their coach for placing first in New Jersey 
in the junior division of the Community Problem Solving Component of 
the International Future Problem Solving Program. As a result of this 
achievement, these members of PEGASUS PUSH and students at Dr. John 
Howard, Jr. School will represent New Jersey at the International 
Competition in Lexington, Kentucky on June 2-6, 2004. The contributions 
made and the leadership shown by the members of PEGASUS PUSH have 
already made them winners in the 10th Congressional District. I wish 
them continued success in this very worthwhile effort.

                          ____________________