[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 2, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S6343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page S6343]]
                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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             20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE URBAN SCHOLARS PROGRAM

 Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, this year marks the 20th 
anniversary of the Urban Scholars Program of the University of 
Massachusetts Boston. The program was created to provide academically 
talented students in urban middle and high schools the skills and 
motivation to achieve their full potential. In 1984, UMass Boston and 
the Boston Public Schools formed a partnership that helped the first 15 
students and the program has grown increasingly ever since. Today, the 
program lists hundreds of graduates who have gone on to earn 
undergraduate and advanced degrees.
  The Urban Scholars Program is a year-round enterprise featuring 
rigorous after-school classes, seminars, tutoring and supervised study. 
In the summer, the program offers a 7-week institute in which students 
are immersed in science, technology, and humanities courses not offered 
at their high schools, and many earn college credit for their work. 
Students and their families make sacrifices to participate, but they 
work hard, and the results are remarkable.
  A study showed that participants in the Urban Scholars Program 
improved attendance and academic achievement. And over the past 20 
years, 100 percent of the Urban Scholars have been accepted at colleges 
across the country. They have an 85 percent college retention rate, 
compared to the 50 percent national rate. Investing early in these 
talented young men and women pays off for the students and the entire 
community.
  UMass Boston deserves great credit for its commitment to this 
outstanding program, and I especially commend Adaline Mirabal, the 
director of the program, and Joan Becker, its administrator. Their 
skillful work and dedication has transformed the lives of these young 
students, and has demonstrated the immense possibilities of early 
intervention in bringing a first-class education within reach of every 
child.

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